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.
Cade Cunningham’s Strengths
Before even watching Cunningham play, his frame and build gives viewers a glimpse into what he can do on the floor. At six-foot-seven, Cunningham has a wingspan that exceeds seven-feet, allowing him to use his length to terrorize smaller guards around the court.
His combination of size and athleticism enables him to score around the rim with ease.
On top of that, throughout his freshman year at Oklahoma State, he has been an effective shooter from all over the court, shooting 43.2% from the field and 42.3% from beyond the arc. His ability to score from all areas of the court forces teams to pay attention to him whenever he is on the court, because he is constantly a threat. Being a rookie who is able to shoot efficiently, straight out of college, will only help him, as he continues to grow once he enters the NBA this summer.
Outside of his scoring ability, Cunningham also has a knack for finding the open man, and making the right choice on whom to pass to.
He is also a very unselfish player who is willing to share the ball with his teammates, rather than taking as many shots as he can. In other words, his basketball IQ and decision making skills are incredibly impressive for someone as young as Cunningham is.
Having the ability to make the correct decision right off the bat should warrant Cunningham a lot of playing time immediately in the NBA.
On the defensive side of the ball, Cunningham is able to use his size and wingspan to defend any position. Additionally, he tends to make the right decision on defense, averaging 1.5 steals per game and one block per game over his freshman year.
Cade Cunningham’s Weaknesses
While there are not many glaring issues with Cade Cunningham’s game, there are a few things that could worry fans. The history of the NBA is littered with No. 1 overall draft picks who did not live up to their potential.
Starting with the parts of the game that should be less of a worry, is his control while he has possession of the ball.
While going through videos of watching Cunningham play, there were instances where he would see an opening, and then go to attack the lane, but, right before he initiated, he would lose the ball for a split second. That split second is the difference between getting a good look, and having to reset the offense.
This should not be the biggest worry though, since as he gets older, he should get more comfortable going against better defenders, and grow some confidence in that field.
There are also some concerns about whether his shooting numbers in college will translate to the pros.
Outside of his college career, Cunningham has struggled to make shots from the three-point line. Most notably, in the 2019 World Cup, Cunningham missed 13 of his 14 attempts from three and only made one of six at the Nike Peach Jam in the same year. This too, should not be much of a worry, since Cunningham is young now and has only been improving his game over the past two years.
But there is one thing that can actually be a worry; and that is his explosiveness. While Cunningham is an exceptional athlete, and he shows it through his game, he does not possess the electric first step that many coaches and front offices look for in a top prospect.
Without that explosive ability, Cunningham has still been able to get by defenders in college, who are worse than the average NBA defender. Once Cunningham is met with NBA-level defenders, he will not have as big of an advantage, or really one at all..
With the NBA moving more and more towards a game that is all about flow and keeping the ball moving, Cunningham’s lack of elite explosiveness can turn into something that could downgrade his overall game.
Does Cade Cunningham Fit With The Detroit Pistons Core?
As of now, there are many questions surrounding who is really going to be a part of the Detroit Pistons core going forward.
Killian Hayes had limited time on the court before hurting his hip in December. Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart have both had their moment where they shone. Bey was great to begin the season, but has slowed down since and Stewart has been bouncing all over the court, and as ESPN’s Zach Lowe put it “just wants to kill people out there and get every rebound”.
Sekou Doumbouya’s minutes have slowly been rising as the season goes on and Josh Jackson has turned into a great value signing from the trade. On top of all of this, Jerami Grant may end up being the signing of the offseason, as he has vaulted into the All-Star and Most Improved Player conversations.
Despite this list of players who may be a part of the future, only Hayes (and maybe Jackson) can help cover the guard position. With that being said, Cade Cunningham is a prospect who can definitely fit into Pistons general manager Troy Weaver’s plan moving forward. His ability to run the court and help make plays happen, can help add another dimension to the Pistons moving forward.
Even if there are questions about whether he can ever be a true point guard, he won’t need to be a true point guard in Detroit, since Hayes can take care of those duties primarily.
Cunningham’s size and ability to score at all three levels can help create mismatches for both him and his teammates. He is certainly a most intriguing prospect.