“Just Take Cade” Cunningham crowd shows lack of faith in Pistons

The general consensus is that Cade Cunningham will end up with the Detroit Pistons via the first overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, and for good reason.

He is the frontrunner in a very top-heavy draft class that has many NBA-ready potential stars. But, maybe, fans should take a step back. Yes, we’re all excited for the future of the franchise, but the “Just take Cade” rhetoric needs to stop. It just says that you have no faith in Detroit Pistons general manager Troy Weaver and the front office.

I’m not saying Detroit shouldn’t take Cunningham first overall. Personally, I’m a bit of a Cade skeptic but he is certainly one of the better players in the draft, perhaps even the best. But Pistons fans should expect the organization to look at every possible route to take.

Perhaps USC centr Evan Mobley actually has the higher ceiling, or maybe Jalen Green is a more talented scorer. Maybe Detroit will have to consider a loaded trade offer for the first overall pick. To suggest that they ignore all other options, aside from selecting Cade, is asinine.

Even Weaver has said no one in this draft, Cunningham is not the next LeBron James or Zion Williamson. He is not the best prospect of the 21st century or even the best over the past five seasons. But he is a sure thing, meaning he will be an instant contributor. But so will other players, and a trade might benefit Detroit in the long run as well.

Frankly, by dismissing any other options, one is simply saying they have no faith in Troy Weaver.

Weaver has given us no reason to doubt him, just look at he drafted last year, and he needs to do his due diligence. By saying “Just take Cade,” it is suggesting Weaver is incapable of making an informed decision, and should just take the easy way out.

If Gregg Popovich, Masai Ujiri or David Griffin had the first overall pick this year, people would be running through the dozens of genius things they could do with it.

Instead, the pick was awarded to Detroit, which is practically starving for any success, across any of its sports teams. Please give Weaver a chance to get the job done right, and that means going over every option, even if it isn’t popular.

As Draft night approaches, if Weaver is all in on Cade, then so am I. But, for the time being, let the man do his job and weigh his options.