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Detroit Pistons 2021 Early Draft Profile: Cade Cunningham

By Ari Eizen

Dec 8, 2020; Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Cade Cunningham (2) shoots a free throw against the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles during the second half at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 8, 2020; Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Cade Cunningham (2) shoots a free throw against the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles during the second half at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports /
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As the NBA season continues to progress, teams begin to separate themselves from the pack. In their own way, the Detroit Pistons have done so.

The teams that are led by stars and experience, elevate to the top of the league, while the teams that are deprived of those traits, sink to the bottom of the standings. For the better part of the decade, the Detroit Pistons were one of the teams on the fringe of making the playoffs and contending for one of the last spots.

Over the past year, the Pistons have traded Andre Drummond, Luke Kennard, and, as of the past week, fan favorite Derrick Rose away, essentially committing to a full rebuild for the future.

With the record of 6-19 through their first 25 games, the Detroit Pistons are right where the majority of the basketball world, and Pistons fans expected.

However, most people did not expect this Pistons team to be as competitive as they are. But while the Pistons have been close to winning a handful of games this year, as Hall of Fame baseball player Frank Robinson puts it “close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades”.

Detroit Pistons looking to rebuild with young core

So here we are; in the middle of another losing season, looking for the young core of Killian Hayes, Sekou Doumbouya, Saddiq Bey, and Isaiah Stewart to help lead the way going forward. Even though we are not halfway through the NBA season, March Madness is not too far away, and it may be time for Pistons fans to familiarize themselves with some of the top prospects that could be coming to Detroit next year.

Whenever anyone has a 2021 NBA Draft conversation, Oklahoma State guard Cade Cunningham is one of the first names mentioned, surrounding the first overall pick. As the likelihood of the Pistons holding a top-three pick this year keeps getting higher and higher, Cunningham could be a player to help solidify the core for the Pistons moving forward.

It is time that Pistons fans start to take a long look at the player who, possibly, could become the face of the franchise as early as next season.