Cade Cunningham is already carrying a load that would test just about anybody. The danger for Detroit is obvious: if the Pistons keep asking him to do everything, they could end up in the same kind of holding pattern Damian Lillard lived through in Portland - big regular seasons, not enough when the games tighten up.
That’s the concern hanging over this team right now. Cunningham is still early in his career and doesn’t play like Lillard did, but the broader problem looks familiar. If Detroit doesn’t put more around him, it risks building a roster that leans too hard on one star and doesn’t give him enough help when the playoffs arrive.
All offseason, Pistons fans wanted a major trade and a real co-star for Cade. Instead, Detroit stayed put, maybe after some trade talks didn’t get anywhere.
Now the organization is banking on internal growth to solve the problem. That means waiting on young players like Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson to make another leap.
There’s upside there, but there’s also a clear limitation. Neither player has shown consistent offense in the playoffs yet, so it’s tough to know whether they’re ready to be the kind of reliable support Cunningham needs in a serious postseason run. The Pistons may still have a shot to make a bigger move at the trade deadline, depending on how the core develops this season, but that possibility only matters if Detroit actually acts on it.
Otherwise, the burden on Cunningham just gets heavier. Last season, he had to drive the offense while most of his teammates saw their scoring and efficiency fall off, with Tobias Harris the notable exception before he moved on. Without dependable scoring or even another ball-handler to share the load, Cade was forced into a tough shot diet and had to create a lot of offense out of isolation.
That’s a lot to ask from a player who does so many things well. Cunningham is a strong scorer, playmaker and defender, but when the workload spikes, the weak spots show up late. Turnovers have been the most obvious issue, and they hurt him in a couple of moments against the Cavaliers last season.
Detroit’s bigger mistake may be the way it uses him possession after possession. Cunningham is asked to start the offense nearly every trip down the floor, and that kind of demand takes a toll.
It wears on him physically, but it can also drain him mentally and show up in crunch time. Sometimes it doesn’t even end in a turnover - it just turns into lower-quality shots.
Cunningham can absolutely lead a championship-level team if he has the right support around him. He’s already a top-10 player in the world and still improving.
But the Pistons can’t keep pretending one star can carry everything on his own. If they don’t get that right soon, they may waste the kind of season-building window they’ve got with him.
In Other News...
Pistons May Have A Bigger Backcourt Swing Than Fans Expected
The Pistons head into the upcoming season with a clear priority: keep leaning on the defense that helped them stay competitive, while finding a way to squeeze more offense out of a roster that needs it. That balance is part of why the backcourt has become such a point of interest, especially for a team trying to take the next step in the playoffs without losing the identity that got it there.
Around the league, Detroit has reportedly kept an eye on a potential swing at Kyrie Irving, a sign that the front office may be thinking bigger than a modest upgrade. The idea is still speculative, but the conversation has enough traction to be worth watching as the season unfolds, particularly if Irvings situation shifts and opens the door to a move that could be handled more smoothly than expected. [Read more 🡒]
Pistons Fans Have 3 Young Names Worth Watching Tonight
The Pistons win over Phoenix was the kind that leaves a long runway of optimism for a young roster. Detroit trailed at halftime, then flipped the game with a 34-16 third quarter and finished with five players in double figures in a 107-105 victory, a reminder that the group can survive rough stretches when the energy and ball movement are there. For a team still sorting out its identity, that matters just as much as the final score.
Ron Holland stood out as the leading scorer in that game, while rookie Ebuka Okorie announced himself in his first NBA action with an immediate impact. Isaiah Joes shooting line against the Suns was far from clean, but the larger point is that these are the kinds of early-season swings young teams live with, and the next test against the Wizards offers another chance to see which names keep rising. [Read more 🡒]
Pistons Face Early Roster Questions As Ron Holland Tries To Answer One
Ron Holland II is getting one of the first real chances this preseason to show where he fits for the Pistons, and the second exhibition against the Wizards offers another early look at how Detroits young group is coming together. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff has already hinted at a deeper rotation in this one, which should give the roster more room to sort itself out after the opener and give Holland a stage to build on the expectations around his development.
There are a few other spots worth watching as the Pistons keep evaluating their options. Jalen Duren is expected to be available, and his presence would add another important layer to the frontcourt mix as Detroit tries to settle into a preseason rhythm. In the backcourt, the competition for the reserve minutes has also started to take shape, with Saben Lee and rookie Ebuka Okorie both trying to make their case while the Pistons continue sorting through early lineup decisions. [Read more 🡒]