The 2023-24 NBA season has been kinder to some teams than others. At this point, some teams must think about the remainder of the year. Is it time to waive the white flag and concede defeat?
That wouldn’t be an easy call for the Detroit Pistons to make. This team was surely hoping to take a step forward this year. Yet, they’re at the bottom of the standings – again.
Now, it feels like Detroit could be a candidate to acquire some assets and punt on the rest of the year. The Washington Wizards could do the same.
In all likelihood, this team has no illusions about their probability of success in 2023-24. The Wizards are at the beginning of a rebuild.
Could they cut it short by acquiring Cade Cunningham from the Pistons?
NBA Trade Proposal: Washington Wizards Land Detroit Pistons’ Cade Cunningham
Detroit Pistons Receive: G/F Landry Shamet, 2026 First-Round Pick (WAS), 2028 First-Round Pick (WAS), 2029 First-Round Pick (Swap – WAS)
Washington Wizards Receive: G/F Cade Cunningham
This would be a bitter pill for the Pistons to swallow. We recognize that. “Motor” Cade Cunningham was supposed to be this team’s savior. So far, it hasn’t worked out that way. What’s the problem?
It’s a combination of factors. Cunningham does have some weaknesses. He’s not an elite athlete, so he struggles to get to the rim. His inconsistent shooting only compounds that problem.
Yet, Cunningham remains an outstanding floor general who can use his plus positional size to shoot over defenders. Why aren’t the Pistons maximizing that skill set?
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons, Washington Wizards Updates
Partly, the roster around Cunningham is also to blame. There are too many ball-handlers in Detroit and not enough shooters. They have too many bigs, and too few wings.
Should they trade Cunningham instead of improving the roster around him?
Why The Detroit Pistons Do The Deal
We’re not sure. There are no easy answers in Detroit. Arguably, the most sensible thing to do would be to trade some other pieces and maximize the roster around Cunningham.
That would be easier said than done. It would require the Pistons to move Jaden Ivey, and perhaps Ausar Thompson. They’re not likely to get much value for Ivey at this point, and Thompson has flashed star potential in his own right.
Whether this is the best solution for Detroit or not, it’s certainly the most efficient one. So, we’ve got them moving Cunningham for two first-round picks and a swap.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons, Washington Wizards Updates
If Thompson proves to be a franchise-caliber player, the Pistons could improve their future by picking up these assets.
Should the Wizards be moving assets already?
Why The Washington Wizards Do The Deal
Cunningham may have flaws. Almost every player in the NBA has a hole or two in his game. He’s still looked like a potential franchise player at times. We’ve never seen Cunningham surrounded by floor spacing.
The Wizards could build that roster more easily than the Pistons. Where Detroit is committed to several prospects that don’t suit Cunningham, the Wizards would have a blank slate. They could fill out their roster with the best spacing they can find and truly bring the best out of Cunningham.
With that in mind, moving future draft capital may not be a problem for Washington. The most important thing that a team can do with first-round picks is land a franchise player.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons, Washington Wizards Updates
Cunningham can be a franchise player. If Washington trades for him, they may be enjoying more pleasant seasons sooner rather than later.
