When the Detroit Pistons took Cade Cunningham with the number one pick, they hoped they were finally getting their franchise player.
He’s the first Piston with superstar potential in a long time and Cade is going to get the chance to lead the team and be an icon in Detroit.
He’s going to be in the starting lineup, and should be doing most of the playmaking on offense. He has the skill and size to be an impact player right away but he is best when he is running the show, using pick-and-roll or iso moves to set up teammates or get his own shot.
The Pistons can’t just stick him in the corner to shoot 3-pointers (as they sometimes did in Summer League), as it would be a waste of his skill, which is why Cade Cunningham is ultimately going to be the point guard on this team.
That leaves another guard spot in the starting lineup, and I think there is an argument that any one of four guys could end up in it before the season is over.
Detroit Pistons: The case for Killian Hayes in the starting lineup with Cade Cunningham
I think most fans of the Detroit Pistons hope that the two young point guards can find a way to play together.
We’ve talked about this a lot, but unless Hayes can do more than just pass, I don’t see him as a great fit with Cunningham in the starting five.
The case for him is that Hayes is very good defensively and the Pistons could have an elite defensive backcourt. Hayes has also shown himself to be a very good passer who can set up teammates and make spectacular passes in transition.
If he can shoot just a little, he’ll be the guy, as the Pistons will give him a chance to show he and Cade Cunningham are a good match for the long term. Either way, Hayes is going to get plenty of minutes but there might be some other guys better suited for the starting lineup.
Detroit Pistons: The case for Frank Jackson in the starting lineup with Cade Cunningham
I think either of the Jacksons (Frank or Josh) have a case for being in the starting five. Frank Jackson played his way from a two-way contract to being a key member of the bench, shooting over 40 percent from 3-point range and playing active defense.
He would add another shooter around Cade, which should create more space for him to operate and Jackson can hold his own defensively. Is Jackson ready for an expanded role or is he better suited to being an “instant offense” guy off the bench?
The case for Josh Jackson in the Pistons starting lineup with Cade Cunningham
Josh Jackson is going to be one of the most interesting stories of the season, as he is on an expiring contract and could be traded at some point if the Pistons don’t see him as part of the long-term plans.
Jackson is a long and athletic defender who would give the Pistons a huge perimeter defense with plus wingspans all around. Jackson, Cunningham and Saddiq Bey could be a lockdown trio on the perimeter.
The problem is that Josh Jackson has shot the ball poorly, but if he would commit to being more of a purely 3-and-D guy (and his shot improved) he might be the best option for the Pistons defensively and it would give them plenty of data to know if they should re-sign him while potentially building his value for a trade.
Detroit Pistons: The case for Hamidou Diallo in the starting lineup with Cade Cunningham
I think the case for Hamidou Diallo is similar to that of Josh Jackson, as he is an athletic defender with a long wingspan who can run the floor.
Diallo did show better shooting touch as a Piston, though he didn’t shoot many 3-pointers, so hopefully he will build off that in his first full season with the team.
Diallo would add more athleticism to the starting five, as he can jump out of the gym and is a great finisher in transition.
If he is able to continue shooting even close to 39 percent from 3-point range and can launch a few more of them per game, then he may have the highest upside aside from Killian Hayes.
The Detroit Pistons have an interesting group of guards with similar traits and ultimately I do think Hayes will get the first chance to figure it out. But if things aren’t going well, the Detroit Pistons aren’t going to waste time to make changes that maximize Cade Cuningham’s ability.