Which draft/free agent combination would fit best with Cade Cunningham?

Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) controls the ball against Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart (28) Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) controls the ball against Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart (28) Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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Detroit Pistons
Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns looks up during the second half of the NBA game against the Detroit Pistons (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Detroit Pistons draft and free agency: Best fits with Cade Cunningham

Deandre Ayton and Jaden Ivey

In this scenario, the Pistons extend Jerami Grant to a 4 year/$100 deal and make Deandre Ayton their big target in free agency. They either fall to 4th or below in the draft, or decide that Jaden Ivey is their guy in the top-three.

This is a more traditional lineup but still has a lot of potential:

  • Cade Cunningham
  • Jaden Ivey
  • Saddiq Bey
  • Jerami Grant
  • Deandre Ayton

Cunningham and Ivey would give the Pistons a dynamic young backcourt to build around and the two are a very nice fit on paper, as Cade can be the scorer/facilitator and allow Ivey to play more off the ball.

This lineup would be less switchable on defense, but would also give the Pistons a potentially deep bench with bigs that have a variety of skill sets.

If the Pistons drop out of the top-3 of the draft, Ivey is definitely an option, and Ayton is a guy the Pistons will at least inquire about in free agency, so this one is much more likely.