Cade Cunningham's early battles for 2021 draft class bragging rights

Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons will get tested early by a tough opening schedule that begins with six games against six of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. 

It could be a confidence builder if the Pistons emerge with a few wins or it could put them in an early hole that they never climb out of. 

We’ll also see which player from the 2021 draft class starts to separate himself from his peers in what will be their 4th season in the league and Cunningham will get an early shot at one of his draft rivals. 

Cade Cunningham vs. Evan Mobley 

You can argue all day about which one of these players is better, as they are very different guys so it really depends on what you like. 

Mobley is an elite defender and efficient scorer on a very good team. Cunningham has filled stat sheets on a bad one and been inefficient while doing it. 

Neither of them has had a “breakout” season yet and both have been picked by just about every publication to do so in 2024-25.

They’ll get chances early, as the Pistons play the Cavs in the final preseason game tonight and will travel to Cleveland to play them again in the second game of the regular season. 

We won’t know anything definitively after these two games, especially considering these two won’t be going head-to-head, but we can hope Cunningham’s team starts to at least be more competitive with Cunningham leading the way. 

This will be difficult to quantify, but until Cunningham starts winning, the edge has to go to Mobley. 

Cade Cunningham vs. The rest of the 2021 draft class 

Scottie Barnes still has the best argument for who is the top player from the 2021 draft class, though Cade can certainly tighten that up with an All-Star season and with his team besting Toronto in the standings. 

Franz Wagner should also be in the discussion, as he has put up good numbers on a playoff team, something Cunningham has yet to accomplish. Jalen Green can make a statement for himself with a breakout year and more team success, which are both possible in Houston. 

Cunningham doesn’t get the hype and respect some of these other players get, but winning will change all of that, so when Cade’s teams are no longer the bottom feeders of the NBA, the individual accolades will start pouring in. 

Until then, the 2021 draft class is still an argument, one that Cade can win with a breakout year coupled with team success.