Cade Cunningham Is Turning Heads - But Is He Ready for the NBA’s Top Tier?
Cade Cunningham is finally getting his moment. The Pistons are winning, and Cade is at the center of it all - orchestrating the offense, locking in on defense, and showing flashes of the star Detroit hoped for when they drafted him first overall. And now, with the national spotlight starting to catch up, he’s getting the kind of recognition that’s been a long time coming.
But with that recognition comes a new kind of pressure - and some lofty comparisons.
A recent five-year redraft of the 2020-2024 NBA classes made waves by placing Cade second overall, behind only Victor Wembanyama. That’s ahead of players like Anthony Edwards and Tyrese Haliburton - two guards who’ve already proven they can carry teams deep into the postseason. It’s a bold statement, and one that raises a fair question: has Cade really done enough yet to leapfrog those guys?
Cade’s Talent Is Undeniable - But the Resume Isn’t There Yet
Let’s be clear - Cade Cunningham is really good. He’s a big guard with a smooth handle, elite vision, and a patient, cerebral approach that’s rare for a player his age. He’s the kind of player who makes the game look like it’s moving in slow motion, because he’s always a step ahead.
But when you stack him up against Edwards and Haliburton, the gap in postseason experience is hard to ignore. Edwards has already led the Timberwolves on multiple playoff runs, showing he can be the guy when the lights are brightest. Haliburton, meanwhile, has become the engine of a high-powered Pacers offense, doing it with surgical precision and elite decision-making.
Cade hasn’t had that kind of playoff stage yet - and until he does, it’s tough to put him in the same tier.
Efficiency Still a Work in Progress
One of the key areas where Cade still has room to grow is efficiency. He’s a high-usage player and a skilled midrange scorer, but he doesn’t generate easy buckets at the same rate as someone like Edwards, who can get to the rim at will or knock down threes with confidence. Cade’s shot profile leans heavily on tough, contested looks - and while he can hit them, that kind of scoring doesn’t always translate to elite efficiency.
Then there’s the playmaking. Cade racks up assists and has the ball in his hands a ton, but he also turns it over more than you'd like from your lead guard.
Haliburton, by comparison, runs the show in Indiana with a much cleaner handle - he delivers similar assist numbers while keeping the ball out of harm’s way. That kind of control keeps the Pacers’ offense humming and limits transition chances for opponents, something the Pistons are still trying to figure out.
To be fair, Cade isn’t exactly surrounded by elite floor spacing, and that’s part of the equation. But some of his turnovers come from forcing passes or misreading coverages - things that should clean up with time and reps.
Defense: Where Cade Closes the Gap
If there’s one area where Cade might already have the edge, it’s on the defensive end. He’s a big, physical guard who can switch, stay in front, and make plays without gambling too much. Compared to Haliburton, who’s more of a finesse player on defense, Cade brings a level of physicality and consistency that stands out.
Even when you stack him up against Edwards - who’s certainly capable of highlight-reel defensive plays - Cade’s positional awareness and effort level are often more reliable. He may not always be flashy, but he’s effective, and that matters when you’re building around a two-way star.
The Potential Is Real - But the Path Still Needs Walking
Cade Cunningham has all the tools to be a franchise cornerstone. He’s already making a major impact on both ends, and with the Pistons finally starting to win, the league is beginning to take notice. But being mentioned in the same breath as Anthony Edwards and Tyrese Haliburton isn’t just about potential - it’s about production, especially when it counts most.
Until Cade gets his shot on the playoff stage and shows he can carry a team through those high-pressure moments, it’s fair to keep him just a step behind that top tier. The good news? That opportunity may be coming sooner rather than later.
And when it does, don’t be surprised if Cade makes the most of it.