The Detroit Pistons are fully committed to the activities of Cade Cunningham.
The 22-year-old former No. 1 overall draft pick agreed to a five-year, $226 million max contract extension with the Pistons, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. The deal could be worth an additional $44 million if Cunningham makes an All-NBA team during the 2024-25 campaign.
Cunningham averaged 22.7 points (on 45/36/87 shooting splits), 7.5 assists and 4.3 rebounds in 33.5 minutes per game over 62 appearances this past season, establishing himself as Detroit’s best player. However, the Pistons finished 14-68, owners of the league’s worst record for the second straight season.
Cunningham finished third in the 2022 Rookie of the Year voting, behind Scottie Barnes and Evan Mobley, both of whom are likely to earn similar maximum rookie scale extensions. Cunningham missed all but 12 games with a leg injury in his sophomore season. He showed significant improvement as both a shooter and playmaker in his third season, even as Detroit lost a record 28 straight games this year.
The Pistons named J.B. Bickerstaff as their new head coach, signing him to a four-year contract. He will be asked to develop Cunningham into the star he is supposed to be. Bickerstaff replaces Monty Williams, who was fired with $65 million left on his contract.
