The Detroit Pistons didn’t make any major moves this summer. At least, none that got Cade Cunningham the co-star that he probably needs. So, for the Pistons to take another jump forward next season, they’ll need Cunningham to take a Luka Doncic-like leap. One that makes him capable of carrying a team of role players to a deep playoff run.
Eventually, the Dallas Mavericks landed Kyrie Irving to be Doncic’s co-star. But the year before that, when the Mavs made their run to the Western Conference finals, Doncic led the way without a secondary star. Jalen Brunson was punching above his weight, but he was still a role player at the time.
In order for Cunningham to take this Pistons team to the Eastern Conference finals or deeper, he’s going to have to take yet another developmental leap.
Pistons need Cade Cunningham to take a heliocentric leap
Doncic’s defense is subpar. He’s not great on that end of the court. But he’s unquestionably great when it comes to elevating his team on the offensive end and helping players be the best versions of themselves.
It just has to be in the right situation. He helped Dereck Lively II. He helped PJ Washington. He helped Derrick Jones Jr. All of those guys played above their talent with Doncic feeding them.
So, as the Pistons prepare for another season without a secondary star playing alongside Cunningham, they will need their top dog to start doing all of those things at an even higher level.
Cunningham is already one of the best players in the NBA. He’s an elite scorer, playmaker, and offensive initiator. But Detroit needs him to kick things up another notch.
Detroit has some quality players on its roster heading into next season. But none of them are the type of guy – the Irving-level guy – to help take the load off Cunningham on offense.
Daniss Jenkins can help with that at times. John Collins is a solid offensive piece. The Pistons probably want Ausar Thompson to improve as a creator as well.
But for the most part, the Pistons will be looking to Cunningham. They need him to lead the way. He needs to be an even better version of himself if the Pistons want to take another step forward.
He needs to mimic the heliocentric game that Doncic mastered during his middle years in Dallas, right before Irving came to town. That’s what Detroit needs out of Cunningham next year.
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