What is Cade Cunningham thinking as extension with Pistons approaches?
Cade Cunningham looking at the NBA
All of the teams that were bad when Cade Cunningham entered the league are now good or at least competitive.
The Timberwolves and Thunder are near the top of the Western Conference. The Pacers, Magic and Cavaliers are in the thick of the playoff hunt in the East.
The Houston Rockets have won 10 straight (two fewer games than the Pistons have won all season) and are trying to claw their way into the play-in behind stellar play from their young guys to go along with the vets Houston brought in to complement them.
Watching the Rockets play meaningful games with Jalen Green going off can't be fun for Cunningham, whose team hasn't played a meaningful game in his career unless you count the battle for the worst record in the league.
This can't be fun for Cade, who has had to watch his peers and their teams make the progress that his hasn't. No no expected the Pistons to be where the Thunder are this season, but we did expect them to make a leap like the Rockets, which would have been enough for fans, and enough for Cunningham to feel some joy playing basketball, which he clearly isn't.
Instead, he is in and out of the worst rotation in the NBA and on a team that has gotten worse while other young rebuilds have gone in the other direction.
If you look at the context of the NBA, is there any team you'd want to be on less than the Detroit Pistons other than maybe the Wizards and Hornets?
And will it push Cade Cunningham into action?