Clearly, not many things have been going well for the Pistons, who just broke the single-season NBA record on Tuesday with their 27th consecutive loss. If they lose again on Thursday in Boston, they’ll tie the all-time losing streak across multiple seasons, set by the Sixers in 2014/15 and ’15/16.
Despite their struggles, former No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham has been a bright spot for the Pistons of late, per Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press. After an up-and-down first 19 games, Cunningham is averaging 24.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 1.3 steals on .500/.309/.847 shooting in 11 games this month, including two 40-point outbursts over his past four contests. He has also significantly cut down on his turnovers, going from a league-high 4.9 per game over his first 19 games to 2.9 per night this month.
As Sankofa writes, Cunningham did everything in his power to keep Detroit in the game on Tuesday, shooting 13-of-16 from the field (81.3%) and scoring 37 points in the second half, including the team’s final 12. The rest of the Pistons were a combined 7-of-26 (26.9%) in the second half, Sankofa notes.
“Everyday, I try to lead the squad,” Cunningham said. “I haven’t been successful with that. Two-and-28. I just felt like it’s only right that I come up and can speak for it, be the face for it. That locker room and everybody in there cares a lot. Everybody’s trying to do everything they can to win games and be successful. I put a lot of that weight on myself, for sure.”
Here’s more from Detroit:
- On FanDuel TV’s Run It Back show (Twitter video link), Shams Charania of The Athletic said the Pistons are likely to target a power forward in free agency in 2024, with Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, Tobias Harris and Miles Bridges among the names worth monitoring.
- The Pistons have won three championships and have made the NBA Finals five times. But over the past 15 years, they’ve been “meh-to-bad,” with the current group on pace to be the worst team ever, according to James L. Edwards III of The Athletic, who takes an in-depth look at the sequence of events that has led Detroit to its historic ineptitude.
- While there are no “quick fixes” for a team that’s 2-28, Keith Smith of Spotrac describes how he would go about changing the direction of the franchise, including trading away veterans for draft assets.
In what world will any of the top free agents go to this mess?
Max Deals
Wouldn’t they rather stay and get those with their current team who offer more?
Hornets are likely done with Bridges. Siakam would have a deal if Toronto was willing to go there. And we all know OG is about to get overpaid.
They could overpay Tobias, I wouldn’t but they could.
Once where the Pistons overpay bigly.
At first I had major questions over Cade ability to step up and be a leader but you can see he’s trying his best right now and he’s not receiving any help. Grant this is a really young team but still
I’m there most recent lose Jaden Ivey went 3/12 including 0/2 from deep. The bench combine for 5/20 which actually looks better than it was as Alec Burks had 4/11, without him they were 1/9.
Sasser, Burks and Thompson the 3 reserve guards combined for 1 assist in 45 combined minutes.
Clearly this team needs more experience, more leadership, veterans making the right plays at the right times. It sucks for them too cause it’s not even like they can say they are tanking for a generational talent, this draft class doesn’t have a Victor or Luka there’s like 5 guys that are all meh racing for first place.
Detroit needs to be active in trying to make some trades.
Here’s a suggestion
Zach LaVine for Joe Harris, Marvin Bagley/James Wiseman (take your pick), Jaden Ivey and a protected first
Chicago takes on the rebuild and gets back two young players and a first. Aswell as Harris on an expiring deal which gets them out of Zachs contract. Ivey would make sense as a draw for Chicago with Zach on the outer, DeRozan on an expiring deal and AC one of their most valueable trade chips. Ivey as a rookie averaged 16-5-3 and is a Christian with a fiancée and son. He’d be a great start to a rebuild for them.
Detroit can run Cade and LaVine in their backcourt which would be exciting. You’d need Thompson Bojan and Duren to round out the team and provide defence, spacing and rim protection. The offence is fast paced with Cade Zach and Thompson looking to lead the break in transition. Defensively Zach and Bojan wouldn’t work well but Thompson is a great defender and Duren offers really good rim protection, so you try make it work until the offseason. At which point Bojan is only guaranteed 2mil, Wiseman, Burks, Morris and Hayes all have expiring deals which creates roughly 50 mil in cap space.
I’d then consider going for Miles Bridges, who aside from his off the court issues is a good basketball player. 20 points per game, good defence, can shoot, rebounds and can pass.
Being born and raised in Flint, Michigan maybe you would have an edge over other teams aswell.
Then your pace and space style would be even better next year as Bridges loves to get out in transition and defensively can switch around and get steals
Why does it matter that he is a “Christian with a fiancée and son”?
To balance out Miles Bridges who is a woman beater with a fiance and kids?
The Miles suggestion was to Detroit and Ivey was to Chicago …
Yeah, that is one of the weirdest comments I have seen on this site. I guess only those that love the lord and has a family should be in demand on the trade market.
Sounds like someone just wants to point out that loving Christianity is what makes you a good guy. I guess Mohammed Ali wasn’t a guy because he was a Muslim then.
You guys are sensitive lol
Cassius Clay was his name religion is what changed it.
It was more in reference to he’s a good young player (hence the stats first) and that he looks as if he’s got his head screwed on right and is of good faith.
Also thought it was worth mentioning considering how well Chicago has done with Phil Jackson and Micheal Jordan who were both Christian’s.
Can’t believe they gave Monty Williams all that money
Overrated and overpaid coach …….