"Signals they might need to blow up" - NBA executive 'feels bad' for Cade Cunningham with tank job imminent after drafting Ron Holland
Since being drafted first overall in 2021, Cade Cunningham hasn't been able to take the Detroit Pistons very far. Following their recent draft selection, one executive admitted he feels bad for the highly skilled guard.
In the 2024 NBA draft, the Pistons once again found themselves with the No. 5 pick. They ended up taking forward Ron Holland from the G-League Ignite. As one of the youngest prospects in the class, many view him as a long-term project.
While breaking down each pick for ESPN, Jonathan Givony spoke with executives around the league. When discussing the Pistons' selection of Holland, some feel the organization is going to start from scratch. Seeing as their current rebuild hasn't netted much promising talent, one executive admitted he feels for Cade Cunningham having to go through this.
“I feel bad for Cade Cunningham. They've been rebuilding for years even though they never planned on it, and this pick signals they might need to blow up the roster and start over again," the executive said. "I just don't see how [Holland] plays with Ausar Thompson, Jaden Ivey and all their other young guys. That situation is a mess."
This offseason, Detroit inked Cunningham to a five-year extension worth $226 million. The young guard is fresh off his best season as a pro, posting averages of 22.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 7.5 assists.
The Detroit Pistons are finally getting Cade Cunningham some help
While people around the league might feel Cade Cunningham and the Pistons could restart their rebuild, their offseason moves say otherwise. Along with locking down their top guard long-term, the newly appointed front office has improved the cast of players around him.
Detroit went with a young prospect in the draft, but veterans were their focus in free agency. First, they executed a trade with the Dallas Mavericks for Tim Hardaway Jr. Then when free agency began, they signed Tobias Harris and Malik Beasley.
Last season, one thing that hindered Cade Cunningham's play was the lack of spacing around him. With these additions, that won't be the case next season. Beasley is coming off a season with the Milwaukee Bucks where he shot 41.3% from deep on high volume. Hardaway Jr. also gets up a lot of three a night, and he and Harris are around league-average shooters from beyond the arc.
With more room to operate on offense, the Pistons should be able to un-tap Cunningham's game even more. Not only can he further display his playing ability, but the added space will allow him to attack in the mid-range more often.
If these veteran additions are able to improve the on-court product, it might result in the Pistons moving forward with their current core.