The Detroit Pistons are hoping to land the number one pick and if they do, Cade Cunningham is the likely choice.
Coming into the season, there was a consensus top-five but none of them had really separated themselves from the pack.
Cunningham has done that, carrying a mediocre Oklahoma State team to a surprising 19-7 record in the loaded Big 12 conference.
Cunningham has been impressive in just about every facet of the game, averaging 19.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.4 steals and a block per game for Oklahoma State.
He has the size to defend all five positions, he can score from every level and he is tenacious on the glass, qualities that are almost sure to make him the consensus number one pick heading into this year’s draft.
If the Detroit Pistons were to finally luck out and get the number one pick, they would almost certainly use it on Cunningham.
But what if they don’t?
Detroit Pistons: If Cunningham is not available, who’s next?
Detroit will still have plenty of options if they do not get the number one pick. There are at least five guys who have separated themselves from the rest of the lottery, so as long as the Pistons stay in the top-five, they should get some impact talent.
Even if the worst happens and they drop several spots, there are still guys outside of the top five who could help.
But Detroit isn’t looking for “help” or role players in this draft, they want transformative talent that will change the course of the franchise.
Knowing that, would they attempt to trade up to get Cade Cunningham if they don’t get the first pick? There are some pros and cons to doing so, let’s take a look.