The Detroit Pistons have invested heavily in young star Cade Cunningham, extending his contract by five years for a maximum of $226 million. This extension could be even more valuable if Cunningham earns an All-NBA spot during the 2024-25 season. Despite finishing third in Rookie of the Year voting in 2022, Cunningham had an impressive season, averaging 22.7 points, 7.5 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game.
Cunningham’s strong performance notwithstanding, the Pistons finished with a 14-68 record, making it their second consecutive season with the worst record in the league. Other promising young players like Scottie Barnes and Evan Mobley are also likely to receive maximum contract extensions. Although he missed significant time due to a leg injury during his sophomore year, Cunningham showed improvement in his third year as a shooter and playmaker.
The Pistons have appointed J.B. Bickerstaff as their new head coach after Monty Williams was fired despite having $65 million remaining on his contract. Bickerstaff will focus on developing Cunningham into the star player he is projected to be, taking over from Williams who led the team to its worst two seasons consecutively.