The Detroit Pistons are hoping to make a move out of the cellar next season but will only go as far as Cade Cunningham takes them.
All signs are pointing to that happening, as Cade Cunningham came on after the All-Star break, put up some big numbers and the Pistons were a lot more competitive, covering the spread for most of the second half.
We know Cade will be putting in the work this offseason, has already put on some muscle and will be ready to show why he was the number one pick after missing out on Rookie of the Year.
The Detroit Pistons have also added weapons around him, and Cade now has options for kick-outs and lobs that he didn’t have last season. This should all lead to increased numbers for the Detroit guard in all of the major categories.
Detroit Pistons: Cade Cunningham’s statistics next season
Points
Cade put up 17.4 points per game in his rookie season, but did it fairly inefficiently, shooting just 41 percent from the field and 31 percent from the 3-point line. I think we’ll see that efficiency increase in year two, as Cade will be stronger, more comfortable in the NBA and have more threats off the ball to create space.
He’ll also be playing with another guard who can get him the ball in Jaden Ivey, so Cade should be the beneficiary of more open 3-point shots that he doesn’t have to create himself.
I think all of that will lead to Cunningham making a sizable leap in scoring in year two, improving into the 23 points per game range.
Assists
With better shooters around him next season, and guys like Jalen Duren, Nerlens Noel and Marvin Bagley III being able to finish a lob, Cade could see a substantial increase in his assist numbers as well.
He’ll get more passing opportunities in transitions with Ivey and Duren’s athleticism running the floor and will have guys like Alec Burks, Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Livers able to knock down open shots when Cade draws a double team.
Cunningham averaged 5.6 assists per game in his rookie season but had 10.5 potential assists, so when more of those shots start falling, his assist numbers will be pushed to over eight per game.
Rebounds
The Pistons will have a better big man group around Cade Cunningham next season, but he is still going to grab plenty of rebounds. He loves to grab a defensive board and go with it or make the long outlet pass, so Cade is always going to hunt rebounds.
Noel, Duren, Bagley III and Isaiah Stewart are all going to be hunting them as well, but Cade will still get plenty of weak side rebounds when teams focus their energy on blocking out the bigs.
His rebounding numbers should stay the same or tick up into the 6.5 range next season.
Blocks and steals
Adding better defenders on the perimeter and in the post in Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren should help Cade Cunningham when it comes to blocks and steals.
Ivey will handle more of the tough point guard assignments, and he and Cade are going to be stalking the passing lanes looking for steals. Ivey’s on-the-ball defense should lead to more steals for Cade. Playing more off the ball on defense could also lead to a few more blocks next season.
I think he’ll average around 1.5 steals and just under one block per game.
That leads to a final stat line of 23 points, 8 assists, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals and a block per game, which would definitely put Cade in the conversation for a spot in the All-Star game next season.
The pieces are in place for it to happen and Cade has a very good chance of becoming the next star guard for the Detroit Pistons.