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Detroit Pistons: Why turning down OKC’s NBA Draft trade was smart

By Aaron Kellerstrass

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /
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Cade Cunningham Detroit Pistons
Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Cade Cunningham (2).Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Pistons: Cade Cunningham will be on a rookie deal

If all things were equal, then you might consider OKC’s offer, as it is a very good one and would give the Detroit Pistons a young star to build around plus another pick.

But all things aren’t equal.

Cade Cunningham is going to be a on a rookie deal, which means the Pistons can get years of his services for cheap, which is one of the most valuable assets in the NBA. It’s far easier to build around a guy on a rookie deal than one who is on a max deal.

Related Story. Be the GM! Guide the Pistons through the draft, make trades and build your dream roster. light

And that’s what SGA will be on, as he only has one more year left on his contract and will be looking for a max extension. So the Detroit Pistons would only get one year of cheap production out of him before he was making upwards of $20 million a year.

The Pistons would likely have the cap space to do this, but if Cunningham is putting up similar numbers by year two or three, he will be much easier to build around, as the Pistons will have a max cap slot to add a free agent or two.

Also, who’s to say the Detroit Pistons can’t get Shai Gilgeous-Alexander anyway? Why have one when you can have them both?