ESPN’s Zach Lowe has faith in future All-Star Cade Cunningham this season. The Detroit Pistons star has experienced an up-and-down three-year career, yet his talent and skill are evident. Will this be the year Cunningham makes his first All-Star? Lowe’s optimism may surprise you.
Future All-Star Cade Cunningham? NBA Expert Envisions So
Cunningham and Pistons Not There Yet
Cunningham has all the makings of a future All-Star. This is from the perspective of Lowe, analyst and sportswriter for ESPN. Granted, things have not yet materialized for the Pistons in the ways they imagined when the franchise selected Cunningham at No. 1 in the 2021 NBA Draft. Cunningham showed electric skill and talent at Oklahoma State University, which is why Detroit picked him. Unfortunately, for Cunningham and the Pistons, it has so far been a tough go at it.
Injuries have played a role in his inability to take control of the team and lead it to greener pastures. In 2022-23, he missed 70 games due to injury. The Pistons front office also has a stake in the team’s shortcomings. Up to this point, they have not yet built a competitive team around Cunningham. Sure, they have added some talented pieces since drafting Cunningham (Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren, Ausar Thompson), but success hasn’t yet materialized as a team.
However, Cunningham’s talent and skill remain reputable. Despite the significant time he has missed, he still has the potential to take the reins of a talented and youthful team. According to some, the guard has much more potential league recognition-wise.
ESPN Writer Sees All-Star Material in Cunningham
Lowe isn’t cashing his chips just yet for Cunningham’s future. In a recent episode on his podcast, The Lowe Post, Lowe expressed optimism that Cunningham could actually be an NBA All-Star this season. Lowe claims the 2024-25 season as the year he breaks through.
Of course, Cunningham’s case will be furthered if the Pistons are having a good enough season. Under new head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, there is hope. He did a satisfactory job with the Cleveland Cavaliers during his tenure there. He was released from his coaching duties over the summer. After failing to reach the .500 mark in his first two seasons in Cleveland, Bickerstaff led them to three straight above .500 records (.537, .622, .585). The Cavaliers made the last two seasons postseason with Donovan Mitchell.
Perhaps under Bickerstaff, Cunningham can find a new footing. Since drafting Cunningham, Lowe hasn’t expressed much optimism for Detroit. Until now, that is. So, maybe Lowe sees growth in Cunningham, which gives him reason to believe Cunningham has much more to offer.
Keep an Eye Out for Detroit this Season
What type of season Detroit has under a new coach remains to be seen. Yet, this young team led by a handful of talented players must break through at some point. Could we see them play well enough to snatch up a play-in seed? Even hitting that mark would elevate the Pistons to a successful season, considering the franchise has not made the playoffs since 2018-19.
Maybe, just maybe, the former No. 1 pick will morph into the leader Detroit needs him to be — who they drafted him to be. And for the first time in his young career, Cunningham will be awarded an NBA All-Star nod, perhaps one of many. What bodes well for Cunningham and the Pistons is they are still very young and have time to build as a core.
