All NBA players face pressure. Young players, in particular, are under pressure to perform and show improvement year after year, having to live up to their draft expectations. That pressure reaches a new height in years four and five when players start their rookie extension or are up for it. With more money comes more expectations and pressure. So, coming into the 2024/25 NBA season, which young guys have the most pressure on them to perform?
Young NBA Players Facing Major Pressure Next Season
Cade Cunningham: A Franchise Star?
Cade Cunningham was selected first overall in the 2021 draft and was considered a franchise building block. Now entering his fourth year with the Detriot Pistons, he hasn’t been able to build anything in Detriot. The Pistons finished the 2023-24 season with 14 wins, the lowest in franchise history. Coming off a disastrous season, the Pistons were active in the offseason, firing their head coach and bringing in veterans to space the floor. Detroit also made sure to extend to the former first-overall pick this summer. Now, with a new contract, coach, and roster, Cunningham has to live up to expectations on his shoulders.
He did have the best statistical year of his career in 2023-24, with career highs in points, assists, FG%, and three-point percentage, but that didn’t translate to wins for the team. In fact, the Pistons had a better winning percentage without Cunningham last season. Going 5-15 with him or winning 25% of their games and 9-53 or winning 14% of their games with Cunningham. The Pistons have a handful of other top draft picks who need the ball in their hands. If Jaden Ivey or Ausar Thompson break out next year, Cunningham might lose his place as the franchise cornerstone. The bottom line is the Pistons need to improve next season, and all eyes and pressure will be on Cunningham to see if he can carry the team.
Patrick Williams: Time To Grow
Patrick Williams, the former fourth-overall pick, is entering his fifth year in the NBA. Chicago made a long-term commitment to Williams this offseason, signing him to a five-year $90 million deal. The Bulls are betting on Williams living up to the expectations of his draft selection, something he hasn’t done yet. Comparing him to the 2019 and 2021 fourth picks, Williams is by far the least productive of the group.
| De’Andre Hunter | 14.3 points | 4.1 rebounds | 1.5 assists |
| Patrick Williams | 9.7 points | 4.2 rebounds | 1.3 assists |
| Scottie Barnes | 16.6 points | 7.4 rebounds | 4.7 assists |
(Former fourth overall picks 2019-2021 career stats)
Outside of a willingness to take more threes, Williams hasn’t shown much growth in his career. His points, rebounds, and assists per game have barely improved since his rookie season, and his two-point percentage has decreased every season. Unlike many top picks, Williams was drafted to a solid team. He wasn’t forced to shoulder a sizeable offensive burden right out the gate. Williams has had time to grow into his game and body, but it hasn’t grown with the Bulls moving on from DeMar DeRozan and trying to trade Zach Lavine. Williams will have to carry more of the burden offensively. It’s time for Williams to show he was worth the contract and was worth the fourth overall pick.
