There's no denying that the postseason left the Detroit Pistons with several questions to answer in the offseason.
Jalen Duren's contract situation, inconsistent bench play, and a massive need to find a viable second option to help the team get over the hump.
Through it all, though, the lone bright spot of the team's trying playoff run is that Cade Cunningham left no more questions, proving that he is the guy Detroit can build a title contender around.
Cade Cunningham can lead a playoff contender
Cunningham's MVP-caliber season alone made it clear the Pistons, at a bare minimum, secured a superstar guard to build around for the future.
However, with only one playoff run under his belt, and it ending in a first-round loss, plenty of questions remained about whether or not the former No. 1 overall pick could be the player capable of leading a title contender.
And looking around the league, it's obvious that not all superstar players are able to lead a team to the promised land, no matter how good they are.
With Cunningham's first-round heroics being carried over into round two, his postseason averages of 28.1 points, 7.5 assists, and 5.1 rebounds, on 43.2% shooting from the field and 40.2% efficiency from downtown, there's no denying that when the lights are brightest, the star guard is capable of stepping up.
All that to say, despite the team's disappointing playoff showing as the No. 1 seed, with Cunningham proving he's able to be that guy, Detroit has every reason to get aggressive and take the necessary steps to build a title contender around him.
Pistons need to surround Cunningham with as much talent as possible
Reports have already surfaced about the Pistons 'plans to go star hunting this offseason, and one ideal candidate has already emerged in New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III.
Regardless of who the team turns their attention to this offseason for improvements, they have to make a push to surround Cunningham with the talent that can help the team finally get over the hump.
Finding a reliable 1A is half the battle, and now that Detroit knows for certain that Cunningham is that guy, there's absolutely no reason why Detroit shouldn't go all-in to take the next step.
Nobody hoped to see the Pistons' offseason start this early, and although that alone is disappointing, the silver lining of the situation is that Cunningham proved Detroit has their guy.
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