The Detroit Pistons’ second-round playoff exit has proven that the team needs another star to support Cade Cunningham on the court to push them forward. Cunningham was solid through most of Detroit’s postseason run, but the team lacks another threat to take some of the pressure and focus off of him. Bringing in another top gun will help the Pistons get further in 2026-2027.
The Detroit Pistons Needs To Find Cade Cunningham A Real Co-Star
Pistons’ Postseason After-Action Report
As everyone knows by now, the number one seed in the Eastern Conference has been eliminated from the NBA Playoffs. Just like the first round against the Magic, the Pistons got behind in the second round against the Cavaliers. Detroit just couldn’t complete the comeback this time. The best way to avoid situations like that is to not get into them in the first place.
In the post-mortem, there are more than a few issues that have come up. A major one would be the relative youth and inexperience of the team. Detroit was good, but many of their top stars have limited playoff experience at best. It’s been a minute or two since Detroit’s previous second-round appearance. This specific roster made the playoffs for the first time in 2025.
A prime example of this was Jalen Duren. He experienced one of the sharpest drop-offs in scoring from the regular season to the postseason that the league has ever seen in 2026. At least, that’s what it felt like. It’s possible the pressure of the situation simply got to him. That happens frequently. Just ask James Harden.
Cade Cunningham Can’t Be A One-Man Show
Another issue Detroit need to sort out is Cunningham. He was good for the most part through the playoffs, though he was a bit up and down. Again, that’s got a lot to do with youth and inexperience in the postseason. This will change as Detroit continues to grow and becomes a playoff regular. That will also benefit other players, including Duren and Ausar Thompson.
It doesn’t change the fact that Detroit is lacking a true co-star for Cunningham. Duren, Thompson, Tobias Harris, and others are key players on this team and major contributors to its success. They just don’t draw the same kind of attention Cunningham does.
It’s great that Duren was a first-time All-Star in 2026, but the team need someone else who can bring some serious heat. They need someone who can share the court with Cunningham, but also keep producing when he’s on the bench. Detroit is lacking a second star to take focus off Cunningham, draw defenders, and create better floor spacing. That means the Pistons need to make a trade or hit free agency hard.
Detroit Has Options Out There To Choose From
If the Jazz are willing to talk about a trade, Lauri Markkanen would be an interesting choice for Detroit. While he’s not the best at creating his own shots, the seven-foot shooter is known for his efficiency, gravity, and versatility on both offense and defense.
Markkanen is also known for being expensive. He’s in the midst of a pricey five-year extension with the Jazz that has him under contract through 2029. That means the team would have to make some serious moves to bring him on board. Still, now is the time to look at something big, like trading for Markkanen to bring another heavy hitter to the squad.
Keep in mind that it doesn’t have to be Markkanen, either. He’s a great player, but he’s also not the one definitive answer to the Pistons search for what’s next. The one thing that is clear is Cunningham needs a co-star in the offseason. How that happens is up to the front office.
Featured Image: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
