Detroit Pistons: 3 player comparisons for Cade Cunningham

The Detroit Pistons finally got some luck in the NBA Draft Lottery and will likely use it to draft Cade Cunningham with the overall number one pick.

This is not one to overthink too much, as Cunningham is a dynamic and unique talent who has a chance to be a superstar at the next level.

Scout Mike Schmitz said this about  Cunningham:

"“He’s one of the most complete prospects I’ve ever evaluated.”"

Yes, Jalen Green will likely be a great scorer and Evan Mobley might be a better “fit” with the current roster (I don’t think that is true) but you don’t pass on a 6-foot-8 point guard who can play four positions and literally do everything well.

While Cunningham is a unique talent, he does remind me of a few other players both past and present.

Here are three player comparisons for Cade Cunningham, though it should be said that no player comps are ever perfect and there are always differences.

Detroit Pistons: Player comparison #1 for Cade Cunningham- Anfernee Hardaway

Penny Hardaway was like the original incarnation of Cade Cunningham in that he was a big point guard who could pretty much do anything on a basketball court.

Hardaway was a 6-foot-7 point guard who used his size to see over smaller guys, was a dynamic playmaker, could play off the ball, score from all three levels and was a plus rebounder.

His college numbers of 22 points, 8.5 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 2.4 steals are very similar to Cunningham’s 20.2/6.2/3.5/1.6, but keep in mind these are Hardaway’s numbers from his sophomore season, as he played one more year in college than Cunningham.

Cunningham is a little bigger and should be more effective in the post and is also a much better 3-point shooter.

Hardaway had the chance to be an All-Time great but his career was derailed by injuries. Cunningham has many of the same attributes, so let’s hope he can avoid the injury bug that ruined Penny’s career.