In the heart of the offseason, NBA.com has turned to some prediction-based rankings for next season. They recently published an article ranking the top 10 players in the Eastern conference heading into next year and it has many Pistons fans up in arms. Cade Cunningham was ranked 5th on the list right behind fellow young star and former no. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero at 4.
Cade Cunningham vs. Paulo Banchero
Paolo is described as an all-around skilled power forward whose offensive versatility allows the Magic to roll out different lineups. Banchero averaged an impressive 25.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. Banchero’s efficiency does leave a lot to be desired - he shot 45% from the field and 32% from three last year.
Banchero has the physical tools and skills to be a dominant inside scorer. He shot nearly 64% at the rim last year while averaging 5.8 attempts there per game. For context, Cunningham averaged a bit more volume at the rim (6.6 attempts per game) but significantly worse efficiency (56% shooting). Banchero also 8.4 free throws per game (4th in the NBA), most of which are earned on drives to the rim.
However, critics of Paolo’s game rightfully point out that he settles for midrange shots too often. Last year, he averaged nearly 8 midrange shots per game and they definitely dragged down his efficiency. It is still debatable how much of that is due to the lack of spacing on the Magic, one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the entire league, and how much is due to Banchero’s own preference for those shots.
In all likelihood, Paolo’s high ranking on this list is influenced by his recent playoff performance. In a 5 game series against the Boston Celtics in the first round, Banchero averaged 29.4 points per game and helped keep the series somewhat competitive despite the obvious talent gap against the 2024 NBA champions.
Banchero has gotten a reputation as a playoff riser (he averaged 27 points per game in his playoff debut against the Cleveland Cavaliers a year earlier) but his scoring splits in the postseason are not sustainable for a long playoff run. In both series, he has miraculously shot over 40% from the three point line on over 5 attempts a game, which has elevated his play and scoring efficiency. These shooting numbers far exceed his regular season splits and you can expect to see them come down if he ever advanced out of the first round.
Paolo Banchero is a talented young player who was on the rise last year before tearing his oblique, but it’s still too early to rank him above Cade Cunningham. He can certainly get to Cade’s level and beyond this year if he continues to develop but, as it stands, this NBA.com ranking is premature.
You know Cade Cunningham will take note of this and look forward to his first game against Orlando.