The Detroit Pistons lucked out in the 2021 NBA Draft. Not only did they get the number one pick, but there was a player there in Cade Cunningham who was worthy of being that top guy.
That is not always the case, as not all number one picks are created equally. Some years there is no consensus guy and some years teams have reached and missed out on generational talent by making the wrong selection.
You only have to look at the last 10 picks to see this in action, as you have guys who are already stars, players who have the chance to be generational superstars and a some who are already out of the league or hanging on by a thread.
When making these rankings (which are completely and totally subjective) I tried to balance what the player has already achieved vs. their potential, as obviously Cade Cunningham hasn’t had much chance to prove himself compared to guys like Karl-Anthony Towns or Andrew Wiggins.
So where does Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons rank among the last 10 number one picks?
Detroit Pistons: Ranking the last 10 number one picks in the NBA Draft
#10: Anthony Bennett (2013)
This one is the easiest on the list, as Bennett is considered by many to be the worst number one pick of all time. He only played for four seasons in the NBA and managed to be on four different teams in that span. He never averaged more than five points per game, and even though he is still miraculously just 29-years-old, he is already out of the NBA and currently playing the Taiwanese league. To be fair to Cleveland, this was a terrible draft overall, but literally any other player in the first round would have been a better choice than Bennett.
#9: Markell Fultz (2017)
Fultz was another easy choice here, as he has only played one full season out of his five years in the NBA, playing fewer than 20 games apiece in the other four. Fultz and the Magic are still hoping that he turns it around, as he was decent in his one full season. But the guy can’t shoot and can’t stay healthy. What makes it even more egregious is that the 76ers traded up to get him at #1, while the Celtics took their 3rd pick and ran away laughing with Jayson Tatum, who has blossomed into the best player from this draft and an All-NBA selection. Yeah for The Process!
Detroit Pistons: Ranking the last 10 number one picks in the NBA Draft
#8: Paolo Banchero (2022)
The most recent entry into the number one pick club has yet to play a game in the NBA, but I will wager that he will be better than both Anthony Bennett and Markelle Fultz on day one. There wasn’t a consensus number one pick in this draft and Banchero is still very young, but he has all of the tools to be a superstar in the NBA, as he is big, athletic and already very skilled offensively.
In a recent poll of NBA insiders, he was listed as the rookie most likely to be the best player in five years, though Jaden Ivey of the Detroit Pistons did get some votes. This one has to be played out on the court, but the potential is definitely there for Banchero and he could climb this list with a strong rookie season.
#7: Deandre Ayton (2018)
Ayton is more accomplished than some of the guys ahead of him, and has already been to the NBA Finals, but what is his ceiling? Some Pistons’ fans were hoping Detroit would make a move for the restricted free agent Ayton this Summer but he ended up sticking with the Suns, which may have worked out even better for the Pistons, who ended up with Jalen Duren instead.
Ayton is a solid two-way player and has shown he can anchor a top team, but he’s like the 5th or 6th-best player from his own draft class. He’s a solid 18/10 guy for sure, and if he expands his range and reaches another level, he could still climb this list.
Detroit Pistons: Ranking the last 10 number one picks in the NBA Draft
#6: Andrew Wiggins (2014)
This is where things start getting difficult, as the rest of the entires are all guys who have already achieved in the NBA or have huge potential or both. Wiggins made his first All-Star team last season for the Warriors and was a huge part of their title run. He has shown himself to be one of the best 3-and-D players in the NBA, as he is a very good perimeter defender and hit just under 40 percent of his 3-point shots last season. The Detroit Pistons are still thin at forward and he’s one future free-agent I wouldn’t mind them pursuing.
#5: Ben Simmons (2016)
There was a time when Ben Simmons might have been at the top of this list, but he didn’t play at all last season and still has some major flaws in his game, namely that he can’t shoot. He may not have to on the Nets, who also have Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, and it’s possible we’ll see the best of Simmons when he is flanked by two greats and isn’t under any pressure to score. Even if he doesn’t shoot, he’s one of the best defenders in the NBA and is still only 26-years-old.
We’ve gotten to the point where Simmons’ off-the-court stuff has actually made him underrated, as this is a guy who has averaged 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists for his career, numbers that put him in some rare company.
If Simmons ever developed even a league-average 3-point shot or figures out how to be a center, he could be an MVP candidate.
Detroit Pistons: Ranking the last 10 number one picks in the NBA Draft
#4: Karl-Anthony Towns (2015)
Towns has been a scoring machine from the second he entered the league and has already made three All-Star teams even though his Timberwolves haven’t won much. They did make the play-in last season and hope to go even further after adding Rudy Gobert, so that may all be about to change.
Gobert will allow Towns to play more on the perimeter, where he is probably the best shooting big in the NBA, hitting over 40 percent from 3-point range last season. He can’t defend, but is pretty much a guaranteed 25 points per night.
#3: Zion Williamson (2019)
If Zion Williamson were healthy all of the time, I think he’d be atop this list, as this guy was an absolute terror in his one full season in the league, averaging 27 points and seven rebounds on historic efficiency.
But that “when healthy” tag is going to follow him until he can prove he can stay on the court. I know a lot of people wouldn’t put him this high because of his health problems, but I also cover the Pelicans and have literally watched every one of this guy’s games, and when he is on the floor, there is no one like him.
He’s one of the few players in the league who creates a buzz when he walks into the gym, an unstoppable point/post player who can initiate the offense himself or play off teammates. If Zion is healthy this season, he’ll be an MVP candidate, but that is a huge IF.
Detroit Pistons: Ranking the last 10 number one picks in the NBA Draft
#2: Cade Cunningham (2021)
HOMER ALERT! Remember, I am factoring in potential here, not just accomplishments, and Cade flashed superstar potential last season and has the attitude and work ethic to be a great in the NBA. He put himself in an elite group of active players in his rookie season by averaging over 17 points, five rebounds and five assists per game. He’s one of those guys like LeBron James or Luka Doncic who does a little bit of everything and makes everyone around him better, which is what you want out of a foundational superstar.
His numbers after the All-Star break are a good sign that he’s about to have a breakout season in year two and his stats could take a huge leap after he’s put on muscle and will have better teammates around him. Cunningham’s Detroit Pistons were terrible last season and he carried a huge burden on both ends, responsible for creating all of the offense and often defending the other team’s best player on the other end.
I am Pistons’ Homer #1, but I think there is an argument that he will eventually be the best player on this list. If you don’t like it, please make your own list in the comments and argue it out.
#1: Anthony Edwards (2020)
Anthony Edwards just turned 21-years-old (he’s about a month older than Cade) and is already one of the best young two-way players in the league. He can shoot from all over, defend multiple spots and is an otherworldly athlete who plays big minutes and does a little bit of everything.
You could definitely make an argument for any number of these guys on the list, and at this time next year, we might see some movement, but for now, this is a guy who has not only achieved in the NBA already in his two seasons, but has the potential to be an MVP candidate as soon as next season.
Like I said, this is all subjective, and it’s difficult to compare players who have barely played to those who have established themselves, but when it comes to achievement and potential, it’s hard to go against Cade Cunningham and Anthony Edwards.