Cade Cunningham’s playstyle is relatively unique in the modern NBA. It’s rare to see an elite guard that doesn’t rely heavily on speed, quickness, athleticism, or 3-point barrages but rather has a balanced game from all over the court. Across NBA history, the best comparison might be a player whose career was cut too short due to injury: Brandon Roy.
What if Brandon Roy had stayed healthy? Cade Cunningham could have the answer
At his peak, Roy was a 3-time All-Star from 2007-2009 (the first All-Star selection came in just his second year in the league). Roy was also a big guard who was officially listed at 6-foot-6, 215lbs, very similar to Cade’s official measurements. Back then, the NBA was more rigid in terms of positions, so Roy played shooting guard rather than the point guard role Cade has today.
Similar to Cade, Roy was known for his all-around game that was praised by many, including peers such as Kobe Bryant, as having no weaknesses. In his All-Star seasons, Roy averaged about 21 points, five rebounds and five assists per game while shooting 47 percent from the field and 36 percent from three.
The raw numbers might not seem as impressive as Cade’s 26 points, six rebounds and nine assists per game last season but Roy played in a more defensive, slower-paced era. And Cade’s shooting percentages of 47 percent from the field and 36 percent from three are eerily similar.
On tape, the similarities really pop off the screen. Both players use their size and patience to get to their spots and are very comfortable everywhere on the court, especially in the midrange and in the post against smaller guards. Both have a variety of scoring moves and finishes they can use to score in even the toughest situations.
The biggest differences are seen in era-specific quirks. Roy takes even more mid-range shots than Cade, while Cade takes a lot more 3s - unsurprising given the average shot distributions around the league of their respective eras. And the other huge difference is in playmaking. Cade has the ball in his hands running pick and rolls and finding teammates a lot more, which leads to more assists as well as more turnovers.
Cade Cunningham’s full skill set at his size is a paradox for defenses to solve, and not something that’s been seen often. But if Brandon Roy played in the modern era with injuries turned off, he could very well be a similar player. Blazers fans will never get full closure for how Roy’s career could’ve gone if it wasn’t for his degenerative knee, but maybe they can find some solace in watching Cade play.