Once a player is the first selected in the NBA draft, they carry expectations. Any lottery pick does, but the first overall pick is different. If they aren’t a franchise-altering talent, they’ll be viewed as a disappointment by some fans.
The San Antonio Spurs are hoping that Victor Wembanyama can alter their franchise. So far, the returns are promising. Wembanyama has looked like a future superstar as a rookie.
If he makes good on his potential, he’ll be one of the best players in the NBA. What about Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons? That gets a little more complicated.
Cunningham has been wildly inefficient as a third-year pro, but some would blame the Pistons’ poor spacing. Could they trade Cunningham already?
Could the Spurs look to pair him with Wembanyama?
NBA Trade Proposal: San Antonio Spurs Land Detroit Pistons’ Cade Cunningham
Detroit Pistons Receive: G Devonte’ Graham, 2025 First-Round Pick (ATL via SAS), 2027 First-Round Pick (ATL via SAS), 2029 First-Round Pick (SAS)
San Antonio Spurs Receive: G Cade Cunningham
Of course, one player can only do so much. The Pistons are struggling. Whether it’s Cunningham’s fault is an entirely different question.
He certainly has a heavy workload with the team. Cunningham is the Pistons’ primary playmaker. His basic counting stats are solid – unless you’re looking at turnovers.
Cunningham is coughing up the rock at a nearly unprecedented rate. He’s also shooting the ball inefficiently. What gives? It may be the Pistons’ roster construction.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs Updates
Still, there are holes in Cunningham’s game that need to be filled. Either way, Cunningham seems frustrated. He just publicly called the Pistons “bad.”
Could they really move on already?
Why The Detroit Pistons Do The Deal
In all likelihood, they won’t. Giving up on the first overall pick is not an attractive option. The Pistons will probably look at a lot of possibilities before entertaining this one.
Let’s just say this – this isn’t going well. The Pistons’ rebuild just won’t get off the ground. Surely, they’re feeling desperate. What if they felt desperate enough to move Cunningham?
It may not be as crazy as it sounds. In the modern NBA, players move more quickly. Cunningham has already expressed some discontent.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs Updates
If the Pistons see the writing on the wall, flipping him for three unprotected firsts would be something they’d have to consider.
Should the Spurs give up so much draft capital for Cunningham?
Why The San Antonio Spurs Do The Deal
This would be a difficult decision for the Pistons. It may be a no-brainer for the Spurs. Having a number one pick on a roster gives you an exciting future on its own. What about having two?
Moreover, the Spurs do need a point guard. Sure, there are concerns about Cunningham’s ability to create for himself in the half-court. He’s a limited athlete. Still, he has flashed tremendous passing chops at the NBA level. If nothing else, Cunningham can organize an offense.
In all likelihood, he can do a lot more than that with a better group around him. The Spurs may not be ready to maximize Cunningham, but they can come closer to putting him in a good situation than Detroit currently is.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs Updates
Once they flesh out the roster around him and Wembanyama, they could be a dynasty. That will be the expectation with two number-one picks on the roster.
