Detroit’s long run of devastating lottery luck has come to an end. This was a perfect year to snap the streak with a clear #1 prospect atop the board. Cade Cunningham is a prospect who truly fits the modern NBA’s positionless style. Cunningham has tremendous passing skills and ball handling to go with great vision and a high basketball IQ, he can definitely play PG. But at 6’8″, as an elite shooter, talented slasher, effective inside scorer, and being good without the ball in the hands, he could play almost any position on the court and should be able to guard just about any spot as well. He’s not a super explosive athlete, but any concerns about this are drastically overblown in my opinion.

Cade Cunningham breakaway dunk 🔨

(via @CBBonFOX)pic.twitter.com/RytWE23b4k

— Bleacher Report CBB (@br_CBB) December 2, 2020

Only A Matter Of Time

Cade Cunningham will almost certainly be the Detroit Pistons draft pick in July. If he isn’t, something has gone wrong. He’s the type of prospect who can transform a team. Still only 19 but is already a very polished player. He’ll have a massive impact on offense right away both as a scorer and facilitator. Cunningham has the potential to be able to elevate the players around him. Incredible scoring arsenal with his ability to slash, finish inside, and was shooting 40% from 3 at Oklahoma State. Great free-throw shooter and is good at getting to the line. Should at the very least be able to hold his own defensively. Unlikely to be an elite defensive player who guards the best guy on the other team, but I do expect him to become good to very good on that end based on his physical tools and IQ if nothing else.

In today’s NBA it’s hard to become a competitive team without a star player, Cade could be that star for the Pistons. He was the driving force that led Oklahoma State to a 21-9 record and an NCAA tournament win. The Pistons already had a very promising young core. Cade Cunningham is an elite prospect, but he also fits the team seamlessly. Killian is a brilliant passer and will be the PG. Cade will play as a point guard/forward and likely share the facilitating role to some extent with Killian. Bey will be the other wing, get open and Hayes or Cunningham will find him for three. Grant will bring veteran leadership and stability on both ends of the court. Isaiah Stewart looks to have the potential to be a Ben Wallace type enforcer and could anchor the defense. This team could become competitive very quickly.

It won’t be official until July 29th, but Cade Cunningham will be the face of Troy Weaver’s restoration project in Detroit.