[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_post_title featured_image=”off” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”|600||on|||||” text_orientation=”center”][/et_pb_post_title][et_pb_image src=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9mZWF0dXJlZF9pbWFnZSIsInNldHRpbmdzIjp7fX0=@” alt=”Brian Cashman Yankees” title_text=”Brian Cashman – Aaron Boone” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _dynamic_attributes=”src” _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” background_color=”rgba(11,23,61,0.48)” transform_scale_tablet=”” transform_scale_phone=”” transform_scale_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_translate=”0px|-69px” transform_translate_tablet=”0px|-98px” transform_translate_phone=”” transform_translate_last_edited=”on|phone” transform_translate_linked=”off” transform_rotate_tablet=”” transform_rotate_phone=”” transform_rotate_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_skew_tablet=”” transform_skew_phone=”” transform_skew_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_origin_tablet=”” transform_origin_phone=”” transform_origin_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_styles_last_edited=”on|phone” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”10px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” transform_styles_tablet=”” transform_styles_phone=””]
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[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”]It’s been a week since Mark Tatum announced the Detroit Pistons as the winner of the NBA draft lottery. And now that the euphoria has reduced, it’s time to examine if all the celebration that followed was worth it.
Congratulations to the Pistons, all that horrible basketball (they call it tanking) finally paid off… or did it?
The Detroit Pistons select…
If this was a Hollywood movie, Detroit would overlook the obvious choice and select an underdog as the first pick.
The @DetroitPistons get the No. 1 overall pick in the draft lottery. Will they take Cade Cunningham? 👀 pic.twitter.com/wIQTuZF8en — SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 23, 2021
Too bad it’s not, this is real life so unless something goes catastrophically wrong in the next few months, Cade Cunningham will be a Piston next season.
The number one prospect from Oklahoma State is an exciting player, a three-level scorer with an advanced skill set. A six-foot-eight inches tall guard, Cunningham looks and plays like a franchise player both on offense and defense.
Selecting Cunningham is a no-brainer and a huge step in the right direction for the Pistons but what does it mean for their immediate plans?
Congrats to the Detroit Pistons for landing Cade Cunningham. I watched him a lot at OklaSt. He's very good as a scorer/passer/defender. Plays big at 6-8. But I'm afraid he's not a life-changing No. 1 overall pick. — Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) June 23, 2021
Detroit dilemma
The next step for the Pistons’ front office would be to decide if they want to continue building a team for the future or immediate success.
Their current roster indicates they won’t be contenders anytime soon, adding Cunningham to a predominantly young squad doesn’t change that.
Although Detroit will be fun to watch, Killian Hayes and Cade Cunningham could form a phenomenal backcourt in the future.
But it is unlikely that they improve on this 20-win season instantly unless the front office speeds up the rebuild.
The other options would be to follow either one of the LA Lakers or the Atlanta Hawks blueprints.
Los Angeles Lakers blueprint
That means the Pistons would have to convince big-time free agents to come to Detroit (good luck with that).
As a result, Detroit would be sacrificing a chunk of their young core to land a top player to complement Jerami Grant (if they can hold on to him) and Cade Cunningham.
Just as the LA Lakers did in 2019 when they brought in Anthony Davis at what was considered a great cost at the time.
Remember the Anthony Davis trade? Pelicans got: Lonzo Ball Brandom Ingram Josh Hart No. 4 pick in 2019 Top-8 protected in 2021, becomes unprotected in ‘22 Unprotected swap in ‘23 Unprotected 1st in ‘24 Unprotected swap in ‘25 Lakers got: Anthony Davis 2020 NBA Championship😉 — Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) October 3, 2020
But nobody is complaining now, they won the championship while the Pelicans have failed to make the playoffs since.
I’m sure most Pistons fans would gladly let go of Sadiq Bey, Killian Hayes, Saben Lee, and others if it means they win their first ring since 2004.
However, it’s important to note that it doesn’t always work out and there is no guaranteed path to a championship.
Atlanta Hawks blueprint
Atlanta built through the draft while suffering through three horrid seasons but the plan was obvious and effective.
They brought in some solid pieces to complement their young core led by franchise player, Trae Young.
Danilo Gallinari on why he chose to sign with the Atlanta Hawks in free agency: "I like the project. I like the team that we've got. I like the young guys that we've got. It was a very exciting choice for me." — Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) December 2, 2020