The Pistons are finally building around Cade Cunningham

The Detroit Pistons selected Cade Cunningham with the first overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. Since then, their blueprint has been to acquire as many young talents as possible, with the hope that some of them emerge as future stars. 

Currently, the Pistons' core projects as Cunningham, Ausar Thompson, Jalen Duren and Jaden Ivey. However, in its bid to stack young talent, Detroit has failed to build around its young core, leading to some disjointed roster construction and a difficult stretch for the franchise. 

Since taking over as the Pistons' president of basketball operations, Trajan Langdon has begun reshaping the roster. He's added Malik Beasley, Tim Hardaway Jr., Tobias Harris and Wendell Moore Jr. Three of those additions can space the floor and score on multiple levels. 

Spacing is important in the NBA. However, for Cunningham, it's a luxury he's never had. The young guard dominated the collegiate ranks courtesy of his drive-and-kick game and ability to create off the dribble. Since entering the NBA, Detroit has surrounded him with multiple slashers and few shooting specialists. Cunningham has been tasked with creating offense out of nothing and has understandably struggled at times.

JB Bickerstaff now has the pieces to give Cunningham the space and freedom he needs to thrive. He has the potential to be one of the best guards in the league and an All-NBA First-Team talent. Fit and situation matter, though. Cunningham isn't the only player to be hindered by Detroit's roster construction, either. 

Now, with multiple veterans joining the team and some additional versatility on both sides of the ball, the Pistons can finally begin working toward being a competitive unit. Cunningham will undoubtedly be at the forefront of their ascension and can finally begin to flourish into the elite downhill threat he is capable of becoming.