Everything You Need to Know About Cade Cunningham

Now that the NBA Draft Lottery has come and gone, things begin to take shape for both teams and prospects. On July 29th, a draft that seems to be particularly strong through the first 10 picks will give teams a chance to kickstart rebuilds and inject a fresh dose of star power into the league.

Depending on who you talk to, there are five or six players that stand out, two of whom—Jalen Green and Jonathan Kuminga—opted out of college basketball and went straight to the NBA’s G League and played for the Ignite. Scouts, analysts, and of course, decision-makers, for teams with a selection in the top 5 will have their work cut out for them. At the top of the draft, though, there may not be much drama. Cade Cunningham, the Oklahoma State point guard, has been talked about as the likely first-overall pick for most of the year, and it’s not hard to see why. With the Pistons picking first and needing help all over the roster while also boasting an impressive collection of young talent, he would seem to be a perfect fit.

Here’s everything you need to know about the likely, if not set in stone, for the presumed top pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.

He’s the proto-typical NBA wing, but plays the point

At the root of Cunningham’s appeal is the idea that he’s the perfect player for today’s NBA. He’s 6’8”, has a frame capable of putting on real strength, and combines enough ball-handling, shooting, and distribution to be a threat from anywhere on the court offensively. He’ll be able to handle the ball in pick-and-roll situations, he’ll be able to set screens and pop, handle passes on the short roll and distribute or go toward the basket, and he’ll be able to spot up and rebound to get the transition game going.

The NBA may not be position-less—instead, it simply values the type of player Cunningham is, one capable of fulfilling a number of roles.

He surprised scouts with his exceptional shooting

Coming into his freshman season, Cunningham’s jump shot was perhaps the biggest question mark in his game. All he did at Oklahoma State was shoot 40.0 percent from three and 84.6 percent from the free throw line. There are still some NBA observers who think it was a bit of an anomaly and he won’t be able to maintain that, but it’s a pretty great base to start from.

The simple fact of the matter is that guys his size who can handle and distribute the ball like Cunningham rarely shoot at a high clip. If he comes close to these averages in the NBA, it’ll go a long way towards his superstardom.

Questions about his defense are probably overblown

There are some questions about Cunningham’s defense after an inconsistent year on that end at Oklahoma State. It’s probably not that big of a deal. Even without elite athleticism, Cunningham has a 7’ wingspan and a frame that will fill out with strength on an NBA diet and program. His height will let him guard different types of wings, and he’ll have time to learn the league’s schemes. At Oklahoma State, Cunningham carried a big offensive load while playing 34.5 MPG—it’s fair to say he may not have been as keyed in defensively given the circumstances. Young players in the NBA struggle defensively in general, but there’s no reason he can’t get to a Devin Booker-level and defend when the possessions really matter.

Cunningham is a pretty easy first-overall selection even if he isn’t the most athletic player in the draft. He’s good at nearly everything that matters in today’s NBA, and his deficiencies pale in comparison to other guards in the draft. He could very well could help bring the Pistons, a team that hasn’t drafted 1st overall in 50 years, back to relevance.

Cunningham will only work out for the Pistons

If Cunningham and his team are worried about slipping in the draft, they have a funny way of showing it. Shortly after the lottery results were announced, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski made it clear that Cunningham will only work out for the Pistons. This is a relief for Detroit fans, as it immediately puts to rest the notion that the Texas native may not be elated about the possibility of Michigan winters. If the Pistons did decide to draft USC big man Evan Mobley or Green, though, it would be interesting to see how teams like the Rockets or Cavaliers react given less information on Cunningham.

Some say he’s not a slam dunk choice at No. 1

Cunningham isn’t exactly a can’t-miss prospect, though. He doesn’t have top of the line athleticism, and there are even some questions about his passing given lower assist rates (only 3.5 APG) than you might guess. The athleticism matters insofar as he’s going to have to be able to use his dribble to get to the basket. The passing matters insofar as you want him to be your primary playmaker, but there’s enough there in terms of vision and distribution that he’s not going to be a black hole. Part of the reason Cunningham is likely to be the first pick in the draft is that he feels relatively safe—he may not be elite in a few areas, but it’s unlikely any weaknesses would keep him from excelling in the league.