The Detroit Pistons handed Cade Cunningham an enormous five-year, $224 million contract extension this NBA offseason, securing him as part of their core for the lengthy haul.
Nonetheless, not everybody thinks the Pistons made the appropriate determination.
Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus has given Detroit a C-minus grade for the Cunningham deal, questioning whether or not or not the membership can afford to sink that a lot cash into one participant.
“It’s not that Cunningham isn’t pretty much as good as the opposite three maxed-out gamers, however the Pistons will not be adequate to lock in a single cornerstone piece,” Pincus wrote. “Is there a tangible hazard that one of many few groups with cap area in 2025 would challenge a max supply sheet to Cunningham? Only a minor one, and Detroit would nonetheless have had the appropriate of first refusal. The Pistons are absorbing all the danger after a 14-win season.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Detroit Pistons Updates
The issue for the Pistons is that they’ve been so dangerous for thus lengthy that they’re making an attempt to latch on to any glimmer of hope, and Cunningham appears to offer that.
The 23-year-old is coming off of a 2023-24 marketing campaign through which he performed 62 video games and averaged 22.7 factors, 7.5 assists and 4.3 rebounds over 33.5 minutes an evening on 44.9/35.5/86.9 taking pictures splits.
That being mentioned, there are some clear downsides to Cunningham’s recreation.
At first, he has had problem staying on the courtroom. He appeared in 64 contests throughout his rookie season after which simply 12 video games in 2022-23. That’s very regarding, particularly for somebody who shall be incomes $45 million yearly on this extension.
Second, Cunningham is a really inconsistent defensive participant to the purpose the place he appears non-existent on that finish of the ground at instances.
Lastly, whereas Cunningham improved his perimeter shot final season, his vary stays questionable, and that in the end impacts his effectivity.
The Oklahoma State product owns a profession true-shooting share of 52.3 %, which is actually not what you need out of your major scorer.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Detroit Pistons Updates
Clearly, Cade Cunningham remains to be very younger and has ample time to get higher, however given the deal the Pistons simply gave him, he wants to start displaying vital indicators of enchancment now.
The Detroit Pistons have made simply two playoff appearances since 2010, registering only one successful season all through that span.
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