The NBA’s draft lottery is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a lottery. Every year, several young teams hope to land the first overall pick. When they do, it’s a tremendous stroke of luck.
When Victor Wembanyama headlines the draft, you’re particularly lucky. The San Antonio Spurs were the benefactor of that good luck last summer. The Spurs drafted Wembanyama. Now, they need to build the roster around him.
It wasn’t so long ago that the Detroit Pistons had similar luck. Unfortunately, they haven’t been able to put a winning roster around Cade Cunningham. Now, the Pistons could take some drastic measures. Could they send Cunningham to the Spurs?
NBA Trade Proposal
Detroit Pistons Receive: G/F Keldon Johnson, 2025 First-Round Pick (ATL via SAS), 2027 First-Round Pick (ATL via SAS)
San Antonio Spurs Receive: G/F Evan Fournier, G/F Cade Cunningham
Landing the number one pick is a tremendous stroke of luck. The impact of luck doesn’t; end there. It’s one thing to acquire the first overall pick. Sometimes, that pick doesn’t work out.
Sure, the odds of a top pick working out are higher than average. We’ve still seen number-one picks fail. Either scouts got it wrong, or a player ended up having some fatal flaws that weren’t visible when they were prospects.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs Updates
Does Cunningham have fatal flaws? It’s hard to say. It is fair to note that Cunningham has been an inefficient scorer. He’s also turnover-prone. Should the Spurs be interested in him?
Why The San Antonio Spurs Do The Deal
In fairness, the Pistons haven’t put optimal talent around Cunningham. As they’ve mined the lottery for his co-stars, they’ve continuously selected poor shooters. Cunningham would be maximized with better floor spacing.
The Spurs can’t offer him that as constructed. That’s fine. The idea here is for the Spurs to put the duo of Cunningham and Wembanyama together. If he hits his ceiling, that duo should carry them to serious title contention within a couple of years.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs Updates
After all, the Spurs will surround them with spacing. For all of Cunningham’s shortcomings, he’s flashed potential as an elite floor general and quality defender. Should the Pistons give up on him?
Why The Detroit Pistons Do The Deal
If the Pistons have put a bad roster around Cunningham, they’ve got two options. They can trade Cunningham, or, they can trade everyone else. Here, we’ve got them taking the easier route.
After all, Jaden Ivey has flashed plenty of potential as a lead guard. Ausar Thompson has his own upside. The Pistons may be better off building around that duo.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs Updates
This deal would help them accomplish that goal. We’ve got the Pistons bringing in two unprotected first-round picks here. They’re also landing a young player who should complement the rest of their roster in Johnson. Who knows? If the Pistons don’t take a step forward, they could land another first-overall pick.
