The Detroit Pistons haven’t made a big free-agent signing this offseason, but their biggest addition will be the return of Cade Cunningham, who missed all but 12 games this past season.
The Pistons’ season was doomed as soon as Cunningham went down, and Detroit finished with the worst record in the NBA, not surprising considering Cade is the centerpiece of the young roster.
As he tries to come back from shin surgery, both Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren got the opportunity to play for the Select Team that will help Team USA prepare for the upcoming FIBA World Cup that kicks off at the end of August.
The Select Team, led by Cunningham and Duren, dominated the first two scrimmages that were open to the public, and the consensus was that Cade was the most impressive player on the floor.
He was getting wherever he wanted using his size and strength, scoring from all three levels and setting up teammates, which drew some comparisons to superstar Luka Doncic.
And that’s exactly what coach Steve Kerr wanted.
Team USA using Cade Cunningham to prepare for Luka Doncic
After the Select Team took it to Team USA, head coach Steve Kerr walked away impressed with the two young Pistons and said that Cade Cunningham was a big part of their strategy for preparing to play Luka Doncic in the World Cup.
"“On Friday, Cunningham didn’t look like he’d missed a day on the court. Playing a role like the one Luka Doncic will for Slovenia, Cunningham did an admirable job performing like the Dallas Mavericks star beyond being roughly the same size. Kerr said he worked on the role with Select Team coach Jamahl Mosley in order to help the national team prepare for a potential matchup against Doncic in the World Cup…“Cade looked great,” Kerr said. “The injury is clearly behind him. It’s just great to see him healthy, and he’s a guy who can really control a game from that point guard spot with his size and physicality, and it’s good to see him looking so healthy.”"
These things are all music to Pistons fans ears, as we’ve been waiting since last November to see Cunningham healthy and playing again.
Cunningham has evidently put on additional muscle, which should help him commit fewer turnovers, finish more shots close to the rim and hopefully stay healthy next season.
It’s going to be a long few months before we see meaningful Detroit Pistons basketball again, but it’s good to know that Cade Cunningham is healthy and getting high-level reps against some of the world’s best players.