What’s the next step in Cade Cunningham’s development for Pistons?
Discussing Cade Cunningham’s turnover issues in playoffs and what he should focus on next. Listen to the full episode of “The Pistons Pulse” podcast.
Where do the Detroit Pistons stand in the NBA’s Eastern Conference future rankings over the next 3-5 years?
Ranking each East team’s future from Nos. 15-1 was the fun exercise The Ringer’s Zach Lowe set out to accomplish Thursday, May 29 in the second half of his new podcast, “The Zach Lowe Show,” with guest Wosny Lambre (Big Wos).
Both Lowe and Wos had the Pistons with the sixth-best future in the East after a 44-38 regular season and competitive first-round playoff exit.
“What an exciting moment for the Pistons,” Lowe said. “There’s really like nothing not to like.
“The Knicks were like, ‘I don’t want to play this team anymore,’ this team’s tough and nasty and (Jalen) Duren seems to be figuring it out, Ausar Thompson seems to be figuring it out.”
The big question for Lowe is Jaden Ivey; whether he should be a long-term part of the next great Pistons team, and does a Cade Cunningham-Ivey backcourt make sense?
Both agreed Ivey needs to be part of the future.
“I think you need another guy who can actually put the ball on the deck,” Wos said. “I don’t think this idea that you turn Cade into like a Luka Doncic-in-Dallas type of guy. Even in Dallas he had Kyrie Irving and I think you literally need another dude who can actually shoulder the burden of creating offense for himself and others. … Ivey needs the rock, too. (Cunningham) needs to learn how to be a threat when he isn’t pounding the rock for days at a time.
“A guy who nobody could stay in front of (Ivey) is a valuable guy in my opinion.”
Lowe said the Malik Beasley-Tim Hardaway Jr. combination at shooting guard mostly worked in place of Ivey, who broke his left leg Jan. 1 and missed the season’s final 55 games including the playoffs. Both veterans are free agents. Lowe said he saw “some hints of an improving fit” on the floor this season between Cunningham and Ivey in 26 games together.
“I like the contrast in styles with how they play with the ball,” Lowe said, pointing to the Minnesota Timberwolves needing another guy who can quickly break defenses down off the dribble besides Anthony Edwards.
Lowe said the Pistons should “absolutely” try to get an extension done with Ivey this summer, proposing four years and $120 million ($30 million annual average), then four for $100 million while wondering if that is too greedy from the Pistons end.
“They’re in a nice situation particularly because I don’t think any of these extensions — like Duren’s extension eligible too — I don’t think any of them are going to be like break the bank, all of a sudden we have three guys making the max.”
NBA future rankings Eastern Conference
In order of Zach Lowe’s ranking over the next 3-5 years, with the caveat being he spent about 15 minutes, “quick and dirty,” looking at each team’s cap sheet, talent and draft pick situation:
- Cleveland Cavaliers: Both Lowe and Wos had the Cavs at the top, due to the top-tier talent of three All-Stars led by Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Darius Garland. “The guys are young, they’re locked in contractually,” Wos said. “That’s the best, to me, situation.”
- Indiana Pacers: Lowe had the Pacers, who are one win from winning the East this season, at No. 2.
- Boston Celtics: Wos had the Celtics at No. 2, while Lowe had them No. 3, saying “you could talk me into Boston, New York, Atlanta, Orlando, Detroit in almost any order.” Lowe said Jayson Tatum, who ruptured his right Achilles, is one of the 5-to-6 best players when he’s healthy, and thinks Boston will still be fine with a lot of control over their picks.
- New York Knicks: Both Lowe and Wos had the Knicks at No. 4, the team the Pistons lost in six games to in the first round. Lowe noted a lot of Knicks fans have angst about the future with them trailing in the Pacers series. “If I can have 5-6 good players in their primes, including two All-NBA players so great players, yeah it’s not perfect, like ‘wow, you’ve gotta figure out kind of a strange roster,’ it’s a good roster, I like the roster.”
- Atlanta Hawks: Lowe initially had them No. 5. “Trae Young plus Jalen Johnson plus (Zaccharie) Risacher plus (Dyson) Daniels, that’s like not a bad nucleus. And when you have a little wiggle room financially. … They’ve got something going there that’s interesting.” Wos had the Hawks below the Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons, and convinced Lowe. “Yeah, I guess you have to take Orlando over Atlanta.”
- Detroit Pistons: Both podcasters had them No. 6, which is where they finished in the East standings. Milwaukee, who finished fifth in the standings, was ranked No. 13 by Lowe and No. 14 by Wos.
- Orlando Magic: Lowe had them No. 7 initially, led by Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs, who is “never healthy,” Lowe said. “I love that trio. They’re suddenly like really expensive. They need Anthony Black to hit. … They’re so far behind figuring out their offense. … I think if they’re healthy they’re a 50-plus win team next year.”
You can watch or listen to the entire episode anywhere podcasts are found.
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