The Detroit Pistons are likely to add Cade Cunningham to their roster next week, which should be great for center Isaiah Stewart.
Stewart had a surprising season after being drafting 16th and making the All-Rookie team while leading all rookies in blocks and field goal percentage.
Stewart also showcased an improving jump shot, which should raise the ceiling of what he can be, as most people thought he would mostly just be a defensive specialist who ran the floor and not a guy who could knock down 3-point shots.
Beef Stew did all of this without the benefit of much of an offseason or having a real point guard for much of it, as Killian Hayes was injured and the guys they had filling in were not prototypical point guards or great passers.
Adding a guy like Cade Cunningham will make the Detroit Pistons better overall, and we wrote about how he will benefit Sekou Doumbouya, but Cade’s addition will have some specific positive benefits for Isaiah Stewart as well.
Detroit Pistons: Cade Cunningham will help Isaiah Stewart thrive on defense
Cade Cunningham has shown superstar potential on both sides of the ball, but let’s start with how he’ll help defensively.
Isaiah Stewart was the best rookie defender last season, partially because of his ability to play all over the court and switch onto small players on the perimeter.
This is one of the most important skills for a center in the modern NBA, as all teams run some version of the pick-and-roll and try to take advantage of mismatches on the perimeter.
Cade Cunningham should be able to defend more area on the perimeter, which should allow Stewart a bit more freedom off the ball, leading to more blocked shots.
Although Stewart is very good at switching onto smaller players, it is still not an ideal situation, so having a guy who can better defend his position should allow Stewart to stay at home in the paint, which is where he thrives defensively.
Cade Cunningham will make Isaiah Stewart a better defender but I think the most exciting possibilities are on offense.
Detroit Pistons: Cade Cunningham will help Isaiah Stewart’s mid-range game
Killian Hayes was injured most of the season but did flash elite ability in the pick-and-roll.
Having another playmaker in Cade Cunningham will open up even more possibilities when it comes to the pick-and-roll.
For the PnR to be effective, both players need to be able to score from all three levels and also be a threat to roll to the rim and finish.
Isaiah Stewart was actually very good in the mid-range last season, shooting 66.7 percent from 15-19 feet and 54 percent from 10-14 feet.
Although NBA teams are trying to phase out the mid-range, having a big man who can knock these shots down is a huge weapon, which is one of the reasons Bam Adebayo has thrived.
Unlike Hayes, Cade Cunningham can finish at the rim and from behind the 3-point line, so teams will have to try and fight over screens to stay in his face, which should open up plenty of space for shooters.
Stewart can use his wide frame to create space for Cunningham to operate and then either roll to the rim or pop out for those mid-range shots.
Teams are going to have to choose their poison, which is going to lead to a lot of wide-open looks for Beef Stew.
Detroit Pistons: Cade Cunningham is going to get Isaiah Stewart more easy shots
As good as Isaiah Stewart was in the mid-range, he still did most of his damage at the rim, hitting 62.4 percent of his shots within five feet.
But he only got 3.8 of these shots per game, a number that should increase once the Detroit Pistons add Cade Cunningham to the roster.
Cunningham has the ability to draw double and triple teams, and is also an elite passer, two things that should lead to a lot of lobs and easy buckets at the rim for Beef Stew.
The Pistons didn’t really have a guy who could consistently break down a defense and definitely didn’t have anyone with the gravity that Cunningham is going to create.
As big men come over to help on Cunningham, the weak side is going to open up for cutters looking for lobs, as well as for offensive rebounds.
This should benefit Stewart immensely, as it’s often going to be his man that leaves home to help on Cunningham, which is going to lead to a ton of lobs, offensive rebounds and put backs, all areas where Stewart already excels.
Cade Cunningham is going to make the Detroit Pistons a better team overall and will also help individuals like Isaiah Stewart reach their full potential.