The Detroit Pistons may be a long-struggling organization at yet another crossroads, but they do seem to have a clear idea of who they want to build around going forward.
The Pistons are almost certain to sign Cade Cunningham to a max rookie extension this summer, according to James L. Edwards III of The Athletic. Such a deal would be worth $226 million over five years with the potential for more if Cunningham can achieve All-NBA status next season.
Cunningham has been one of the Pistons’ few bright spots in recent years. After missing virtually all of his second NBA season, he returned healthy in 2023-24 and put up 22.7 points, 7.5 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game despite having very little talent around him. The 22-year-old certainly appears to have more room to grow, and those numbers would probably be even better if he had some shooters around him to take some of the pressure off.
The Pistons have a new figure in charge of their organization, and Cunningham’s future will be one of his first big decisions. Considering how hard it is to acquire high-end talent — and how awful the team’s lottery luck has been — it would certainly make sense for him to commit to the 22-year-old.
