The Detroit Pistons are building their future around two dynamic guards in Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey.
Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see them much together this season after Cade had to have surgery after only 12 games and was ruled out, but Ivey has steadily improved in a larger role in his absence.
Ivey is a lock for one of the All-Rookie teams, which will mark the third year in a row that the Pistons have had at least one player garner that honor.
It’s disappointing that we didn’t get to see the two guards develop together this season, but Cunningham is reportedly progressing nicely in his rehab and should return at full strength next season ready to prove his doubters wrong.
Like Cunningham, Ivey has put up impressive all-around numbers in his rookie year and the two have put themselves in elite company for the first 60 games of a career.
Detroit Pistons: Jaden Ivey joins Cade Cunningham in elite group
According to Pistons PR, Jaden Ivey has joined Cade Cunningham in making a bit of recent history:
Last night, Pistons guard Jaden Ivey completed his 60th game in the NBA. Ivey joins Cade Cunningham, Luka Dončić and Steph Curry as the only players in the last 15 years to account for 900 points, 225 rebounds, 250 assists and 75 3-pointers in the first 60 games of their careers. pic.twitter.com/fEoRV9wAbQ
— Pistons PR (@Pistons_PR) March 7, 2023
As you can see, Ivey is one of four players who amassed 900 points, 225 rebounds, 250 assists and 75 three-point makes over the span of their first 60 games in the NBA.
Of course, these numbers can be manipulated to make a point, but when you are on a list with Luka Doncic and Stephen Curry, you know you are doing something right.
The Detroit Pistons have two such players, which bodes well for their future with two playmaking guards who can score, grab rebounds and dish out assists.
Troy Weaver’s job now is to build a coherent team around them, which hasn’t happened this season, but the Detroit Pistons have another high draft pick and plenty of cap space to get it done this offseason.
The Pistons still have big and obvious flaws as a team, but there is hope for the future, as they have two of the best young all-around guards the league has seen in the last 15 years.