We know NBA trade rumor season is upon us when we start seeing loads of trade proposals that are never going to happen, and some of them this season include Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons.
The Pistons are again the worst team in the league, so it makes sense that teams (and their fans) might come sniffing around Detroit's best player and the guy they are building their team around.
Between injuries and complete incompetence when it comes to roster building, Detroit hasn't done that so far, which leaves some wondering if they would cash in Cade Cunningham to the highest bidder and start over.
Before we get to the trade, here are a couple of reasons that it is not going to happen.
The Detroit Pistons aren't trading Cade Cunningham
You can never 100 percent rule things out in the NBA, as you never know how things could change, but there is no reason to believe the Detroit Pistons would consider trading Cade Cunningham.
They'd never get equal value for a former #1 pick who has very much looked the part for most of this season, even with his turnover issues and sometimes-porous defense. Cunningham is not only talented on the court but has the demeanor you want in a franchise player.
Even if the Pistons were guaranteed another number-one pick in return in the 2024 NBA Draft, who exactly are they going to take with that pick? There is nothing resembling a consensus about who the best player in this draft is, you can't even get experts to agree on a top-3.
Cunningham wants to be in Detroit (or at least claims to), has embraced the fanbase and has flashed signs of superstardom this season.
Trading him would be yet another admission of guilt and leave the Pistons with nothing to build around but future hope. I know there are some VERY outspoken fans on a certain social media platform who tell me daily how much they want to trade Cade, but that sentiment is thankfully not shared by the front office.
That said, let's take a look at the proposal.