The Detroit Pistons have only won four games and fans haven’t had much to be excited about other than the play of Cade Cunningham and Killian Hayes.
There were a lot of question marks around how the two would fit together, but so far, it is looking like a match that will work and work well.
Both players still have weaknesses and a long way to go, but there has been a lot to like about the way they’ve been playing of late.
They were the only starters with a plus net rating against the Suns and each game are proving that they are the Pistons backcourt of the future.
Like I said, they are still an unfinished product but fans have to be excited about these three things.
Killian Hayes playing off the ball
One of the most surprising and exciting developments is the way Killian Hayes has mostly played off the ball this season.
There were concerns about spacing and shooting with a Cunningham/Hayes pairing, but so far Hayes has been the least of the Pistons’ problems when it comes to shooting.
In fact, Hayes is leading the team in 3-point percentage at 36.2, which shows just how bad the shooting really is, but also shows that Hayes can potentially thrive in this role.
His catch-and-shoot 3-point shot is really coming along and Hayes also gives the Pistons a secondary playmaker who can also break down a defense and set up teammates.
As Hayes continues to get better at the rim and mid-range, he and Cunningham are going to be a handful, as both are great passers, but right now, just need some shooters to pass to.
Cade Cunningham and Killian Hayes thrive in transition
Both Cade Cunningham and Killian Hayes are good rebounders for their position, grabbing 6.3 and 3.8, respectively.
They are also both good at grabbing rebounds and immediately taking off in transition, leading fast breaks where they are adept at setting up teammates.
Of course, Hayes still has to get better at finishing at the rim and Cunningham needs to clean up the turnovers in these situations, but their ability to grab rebounds and lead the break will eventually pay big dividends for the Pistons.
Currently, the real problem is that the Pistons lack rim runners and guys who can finish in transition, which has limited Hayes and Cunningham’s effectiveness in the open court.
But the Detroit Pistons have two guys who can grab a board and go end-to-end, which is going to look even better in the future when they have better shooters and at least one guy on the team who is a lob threat.
Cade Cunningham and Killian Hayes will be an elite defensive backcourt
Possibly the most exciting development of the Cade Cunningham/Killian Hayes pairing is their potential on defense.
Both guys have plus size and are strong for guards, so they can defend up, which gives Troy Weaver a lot more options when it comes to building a roster around them. He can potentially take a risk on a smaller guard who can score (Collin Sexton perhaps?) knowing that Cade and Killian can defend multiple spots other than just point guard.
The two have a 104.7 defensive rating together, which isn’t spectacular but is middle of the pack for two-man lineups that have played at least 300 minutes together. They are the best two-man defensive lineup the Pistons have and also lead the team in offensive rating among duos who have played more than 300 minutes together.
Considering their respective ages, this is pretty exciting, as it shows a duo that has the potential to be elite defensively and above average offensively, something the Pistons have not had in a backcourt in a very long time.
The concerns about Cade Cunningham and Killian Hayes are diminishing and the young backcourt now looks like the foundation of the rebuild.