A historically bad season in Detroit has the potential to get much worse. Cade Cunningham, who’s been one of the Pistons‘ few bright spots in this 3-33 campaign, left Sunday’s loss at Denver with a strained left knee midway through the second quarter, writes Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press.
There wasn’t a single play on which Cunningham appeared to get hurt, which raises more concerns about the potential injury. Coach Monty Williams wasn’t able to provide any specifics after the game, and Sankofa states that the team can’t rule out the chance that Cunningham will miss more time.
“He’s important,” Williams said. “Our franchise player. A guy like that can’t play, it has a trickle-down effect across the board. We have different guys stepping up in the pecking order, having to handle the ball and make plays and that kind of thing. Pretty clear how important Cade is to our program.”
Amid the Pistons’ disastrous season, Cunningham has enjoyed a career year, averaging 23.4 points, 7.4 assists and 4.1 rebounds while appearing in all 36 games so far. The top pick in the 2021 draft has been playing his best basketball recently, Sankofa adds, scoring 30 points or more in six of his last nine games. He has also improved as a play-maker while reducing his turnover rate and has shown no lingering effects from the shin surgery that limited him to 12 games last season.
There’s more on the Pistons:
- Killian Hayes replaced Cunningham in the starting lineup for the second half Sunday and Marcus Sasser was back in the rotation, notes James L. Edwards of The Athletic. They’re likely to have expanded roles if Cunningham is forced to miss games, and Edwards expects Jaden Ivey to be given more play-making duties. Edwards also notes that the Pistons are considered to be buyers rather than sellers as the trade deadline approaches, hoping to add veteran leaders to mentor their young talent, but a prolonged absence for Cunningham could make them reconsider that approach.
- In an interview with Basket USA, Hayes expressed a desire to continue his career with the Pistons beyond this season. He’s headed toward restricted free agency after not reaching an extension with the team. “Right now, I’m in Detroit and we’re going to do everything we can to finish the season strong and then we’ll have discussions this summer,” Hayes said. “I’ve spent my entire NBA career in Detroit and it would be a pleasure to be able to stay. After all, it’s not just me who decides, but Detroit is my home. It’s been my home for three, four years and I hope to stay.”
- Williams explained why rookie Ausar Thompson has seen a reduced role after a strong start, Edwards tweets. “Other guys are back and playing and, at the same time, every young player needs to process when they make repetitive mistakes,” Williams said. “There are a number of ways to develop players.”
GM clearly doesn’t care and neither does ownership.
If other guys are playing well then why aren’t they winning a few more games?
They need to make moves to improve. They don’t have enough.
To many on the ball players whoms games are only effectively good from 10 feet and in.
Sacrificing the development of Ausar Thompson over Bojan Bodanovic! SMH S**t show organization! SMH
Why is Livers starting and playing so much minutes? Stop giving Hayes so many minutes. Play Thompson, Wiseman, Sasser and Ivey more or trade Wiseman, Bagley, Bogdanovic and Ivey for SG and PF
These are the follies of tanking; you’ll ( mostly ) always be working in the grey
Sure sometimes it all works out organically but most times your looking down the barrel of being the Det Pistons
I haven’t got a clue how they should move forward today
Bogdanovic, Bagley, Ivey and Wiseman for Ben Simmons, Cam Thomas, Sharpe and O’Neil
GM needs to be fired if he doesn’t get that FRP back from the Knicks. Not sure what is taking so long. Send a couple players for Fournier and your FRP back.
They can’t make any moves with picks until 2028 unless they convey to the Knicks and become good. Really limits their ability to be buyers.
So, again wth is the hold up? Burks and Wiseman for Fournier, Archie, and DETs FRP.
What is the likelihood of conveys or becomes a 2027 SRP? Pistons can certainly be the 1-9 slot in 2027.
Weaver was a 2k icon coming into the year. A two-time Hinke Award winner in only three seasons. He did a brilliant job, we were told. The owner believed it, for sure. He gave him a contract extension. Then, fresh off a 17 win season, he doubles down and pays the highest amount ever to get a HC that might be worthy of this soon to be legendary team.
If only they didn’t keep score, 2k nation would be pushing Weaver for the HOF.
I believe the awards are called “The Prestis “
Ausar should be playing more than Isiah Livers. He gives them nothing but an occasional 3-pointer. At least Ausar hustles grabs boards, and plays good D. He can’t shoot yet, but give him a chance. Monty Williams is jerking these youngsters around.