When evaluating a young NBA player, you’ve got to use context. You can’t simply look at his stats – you’ve got to look at the team around him. Otherwise, you run the risk of drawing some bad conclusions.
Take Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons. His statistical profile is complicated. Cunningham produces big counting stats.
With that said, his efficiency has been woeful. In particular, Cunningham struggles to generate assists without turning the ball over.
On the other hand, Scottie Barnes of the Toronto Raptors started his career in a relatively competitive environment. It’s showing. Barnes is productive and efficient.
Could the Raptors pair him with one of his draft mates in Cunningham?
NBA Trade Proposal: Toronto Raptors Land Detroit Pistons’ Cade Cunningham
Detroit Pistons Receive: F/C Thaddeus Young, F Otto Porter Jr., 2026 First-Round Pick (TOR), 2028 First-Round Pick (TOR)
Toronto Raptors Receive: G/F Cade Cunningham
Teams have to use context as well. At the same time, cream has a way of rising to the top. At some point, teams have to make a decision regardless of context.
Believe it or not, that time is coming up for the 2021 draft class. This upcoming summer, the class is safe. That won’t be true in the following summer.
Players from this class will be due for their rookie extensions that summer. Teams will have to decide what these players are worth, regardless of the context they’ve played in.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors Updates
Barnes will get a max. That’s inevitable. What about Cunningham? Will the Pistons overlook his poor efficiency in light of the roster around him?
Should they trade him before they have to make that decision?
Why The Detroit Pistons Do The Deal
Some Pistons fans will be livid. We know. We anticipate blocking somebody on social media after this one. How could we trade Cunningham? Who do we think we are?
Well, we’re not saying this is imperative for the Pistons. It is an option. This is the worst team in the NBA for the second year in a row.
Nothing should be off the table for Detroit. Moving Cunningham so early would sting, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be justified.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors Updates
The Pistons would be rebuilding their rebuild here. They’ll be starting over with Ausar Thompson, Jaden Ivey, and Jalen Duren. That won’t be easy, but adding two unprotected firsts should soften the blow.
Should the Raptors give that kind of draft capital up for Cunningham?
Why The Toronto Raptors Do The Deal
Some Raptors fans won’t love this either. Although, we expect a softer response. They’re acquiring the best player in this deal. Cunningham is a young player with star potential.
Still, some will say that the mediocre Raptors shouldn’t be giving up assets for anyone. That’s fair. With that said, the Raptors are pairing Cade Cunningham and Scottie Barnes here.
That would have to be appealing. The Raptors would have two jumbo playmakers to build around. This team would have a clear identity. They’d also have options.
If they wanted to trade Pascal Siakam, they could rebuild around their new duo. On the other hand, they could be competitive enough to hang onto him.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors Updates
Either way, this is a price worth paying for a player of Cunningham’s talent. After all, we have to take his current struggles with a grain of salt.
