Cade Cunningham entered the offseason under the expectation that the Detroit Pistons would do whatever it took to find him the reinforcements needed to make a run in the East again next season, but this time, the help to get over the hump.
Fast forward to this point of the offseason, we're halfway through July, and the Pistons' biggest moves consist of landing a raw prospect in Ebuka Okorie during the first round of the NBA Draft and bolstering the rotation with solid role players in John Collins and Isaiah Joe.
While the above moves haven't exactly been bad by any means, they're not the additions that will help Cunningham and Detroit take the next step.
Looking across the league to a similar situation out west with Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves, the differences in approach should be a slap in the face for the Pistons superstar guard.
Timberwolves' swings for Anthony Edwards shine light on the Pistons' approach
We've talked about it numerous times on the site since the offseason began.
Anthony Edwards situation in Minnesota closely resembled Cunningham's in the Motor City, with both stars viewed as the next potential candidates who could grow frustrated in their situation with the lack of moves to build a contender around them from their respective organizations.
Entering the offseason, it felt like a race to see which team would be able to make a big swing first, with all reports suggesting both Minnesota and Detroit were planning to be aggressive to improve the roster this summer.
The Pistons' roster moves have already been discussed, with Okorie, Joe, and Collins being the biggest names to ultimately replace the minutes of Tobias Harris, Isaiah Stewart, and Caris LeVert.
There's an argument for why those additions make Detroit worse, just as there's an argument for why it makes them better.
In the same breath, though, the approach from Trajan Langdon doesn't hold a candle to the offseason from Tim Connelly and the T-Wolves.
Minnesota started the offseason off with a bang, landing LaMelo Ball in a surprising blockbuster trade to secure Edwards a long-term running mate with a former All-Star entering his prime.
Shortly after, the Timberwolves inked priority free agent Ayo Dosunmu to a five-year deal to offer another high-upside option that matches the timeline of Edwards' future.
Minnesota's not done, though, as they've been one of the top teams in pursuit of arguably the biggest domino left to fall in free agency in LeBron James, whereas the Pistons haven't even been mentioned as a possible suitor.
The T-Wolves blueprint hasn't been deemed successful or not, but it's clear that Minnesota's front office felt the urgency to prove to Edwards that they'd do what it takes to build a contender.
Meanwhile, the Pistons' minor moves have been overshadowed by the fact that they've yet to find middle ground to bring back restricted free agent Jalen Duren, whose relationship with Cunningham should make it a priority for them to retain.
Mix the Duren saga with the fact that Cunningham wasn't given any major help despite the rumors, and it's safe to say that the lack of urgency this offseason in Detroit thus far has been a bit disappointing.
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