Pistons: Cunningham and Hayes bring flash and substance to the offense

The Detroit Pistons once again have a chance to have one of the best backcourts in the NBA.

In an era that is arguably more guard-oriented than its predecessors, NBA teams around the league have thrived on their backcourts, filled with versatile players that provide the size, skill, and basketball acumen to seamlessly play both positions.

As the Detroit Pistons grow closer to solidifying their backcourt of the future with last year’s lottery pick, Killian Hayes, and the upcoming selection of Cade Cunningham, there is immediate potential for a backcourt that has the intangibles to wreak havoc defensively, and work wonders offensively for years to come.

While Hayes struggled throughout the majority of his first season, and spent a large portion injured, there were glimpses of promise amidst the dissatisfaction of Detroit fans, and his absence.

Detroit Pistons: Killian Hayes and Cade Cunningham have complementary offensive skills

For starters, it was quickly established upon Hayes’ return that he possesses the vision to lead an offense, and that he is more than capable of directing an up-tempo style of play, akin to what the bulk of the league is currently running. This was evident towards the end of the season, when Hayes recorded five or more assists in fifteen of Detroit’s last nineteen games, and seven or more in nine of them.

Hayes’ future teammate, Cade Cunningham, will instantly provide Detroit with a high level, well-rounded skillset that will pose problems for opposing defenses. Unlike many young playmakers, Cunningham already possesses elite vision in a slower, methodical half-court setting, and a fast paced, up-tempo transition offense.

This vision allowed Oklahoma State to place him in various spots, such as the middle of the floor (nail of the free throw line) when teams went into zones, where he was easily able to lure the attention of opposing defenses, and find shooters in both corners, right back on the perimeter, or a post player flashing towards the rim for a lob or dump off.

To say that Oklahoma State used Cunningham in a myriad of ways offensively would be an understatement. Although most of his highlight-reel plays came from his primary position, point guard, Cunningham also operated in the post, sealing off his man for jump hooks, and used his face up game to create mid-range jumpers. Occasionally, he was also featured as a screener in pick and roll scenarios, where he popped out for threes, used his quickness to get downhill, and create for himself or others.

Pick and rolls consisting of Cunningham and Hayes as ballhandlers, coupled with Jerami Grant, Isaiah Stewart, and Saddiq Bey should be apparent from day one, and immediately provide Detroit with more spacing, and keep defenses honest. Grant shot thirty five percent from three last season, while Bey shot thirty eight and they should get even better looks this year with Cunningham and Hayes collapsing defenses.

Intriguingly, Cunningham and Hayes will comprise a backcourt of playmaking, filled with both flash and substance, and the innate ability to create plays both in and outside the traditional realms of standardized, offensive sets. Whether this leads to instantaneous success remains to be seen, but at the very least, it should be wildly entertaining, and keep many more games within reach.