For the last couple of years, the New Orleans Pelicans have seemingly been on the brink of becoming a contender, at least in the eyes of some NBA fans and pundits.
At one point early last season, they had the best record in the Western Conference, but they haven’t been able to put it together.
They hold a 9-7 record, which puts them in eighth place in the West, and it is becoming clear they need another piece to get into or even approach the upper echelon of the league.
One thing they do not have is a true point guard. CJ McCollum has been masquerading as one since he arrived two seasons ago, but he is a natural shooting guard, not a lead guard.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Cade Cunningham, New Orleans Pelicans, Detroit Pistons Updates
It seems unlikely the Detroit Pistons would give up on Cade Cunningham, the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. But if they did, what if the Pelicans got him for the following package?
NBA Trade Proposal: New Orleans Pelicans Land Detroit Pistons’ Cade Cunningham
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Cade Cunningham
Detroit Pistons Receive: Dyson Daniels, Kira Lewis Jr., Two Future First-Round Picks, Two Future Second-Round Picks
New Orleans has plenty of upcoming first-round picks it can include in a potential trade to improve its roster. They’re something Detroit would definitely demand in return for someone currently considered a franchise cornerstone, especially since they don’t seem inclined even to consider trading him right now.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Cade Cunningham, New Orleans Pelicans, Detroit Pistons Updates
In his third pro season, Cunningham’s shooting percentages are still low. But he did shoot 40.0 percent from 3-point range in his lone season at Oklahoma State University, and perhaps being surrounded by legitimate scoring threats in McCollum, Brandon Ingram, and Zion Williamson would give him many more good looks than he enjoys with the Pistons.
At 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds, Cunningham can play both guard spots, but he came into the NBA considered a natural ball-handler and facilitator. In fact, due to his size and athleticism, some even compared him to LeBron James as a jumbo-sized point guard who could also score points because his size and physical ability would allow him to get to the rim.
With a reported 7-foot wingspan, he also seems to have the potential to become a very good defensive player, and by allowing McCollum to move back to shooting guard, he could help the team function better as a whole offensively while getting McCollum more good looks off the ball.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Cade Cunningham, New Orleans Pelicans, Detroit Pistons Updates
New Orleans is eighth in fast-break points a game, and he could help it climb higher in that category, especially since it has multiple players who are at their best in the open court.
At age 22, Cunningham’s timeline would fit well with that of the Pelicans as a whole. That youth would give them a few years to grow and jell together while failing forward after some inevitable playoff losses. of course, they would have to stay healthy, especially given Williamson’s many injury woes, but the potential would be there, not to mention the fit at various different positions.
