Detroit Pistons: How Cade Cunningham will help Saddiq Bey

Detroit Pistons: How Cade Cunningham will help Saddiq Bey’s offense

Saddiq Bey broke several Pistons’ and NBA rookie records for 3-point shooting last season and that was without the benefit of a real point guard for most of it.

Killian Hayes came on at the end of the season and flashed some elite passing, but prior to that, the entirety of the Pistons’ offense consisted of Jerami Grant or Delon Wright (before he was traded) trying to break down the defense.

The Pistons’ lack of a guy who could consistently collapse a defense led to a lack of spacing, so a lot of Bey’s shots were contested, which makes his record-breaking season even more impressive.

Cunningham’s biggest strength is elevating his teammates by breaking down a defense and creating space and open looks for shooters.

His teammates at Oklahoma State were often unable to take advantage of this, but Saddiq Bey will, as he is already a very good 3-point shooter and will get even better when Cunningham is setting him up with wide open looks.

Cunningham’s gravity is going to benefit the entire offense, which finally has a guy who demands a double team and will take the focus off everyone else, including Bey.

If Cunningham and Bey can develop a two man pick-and-roll game, it is going to be tough to stop, as defenses will have to decide whether to say home with Bey or try to stop Cunningham getting into the lane, which is going to lead to open shots.

When Bey is on the weak side he can find empty space and wait for the swing passes that Cunningham has filled highlight reels making.

Cunningham’s elite passing and ability to break down a defense are going to create a lot of open looks for Bey, who must be licking his chops thinking about all those open 3-pointers.

Cunningham is going to elevate the Detroit Pistons on both ends and will help take Saddiq Bey’s game to the next level.