The Detroit Pistons have agreed to a five-year, $226 million maximum contract extension with young star Cade Cunningham. The 22-year-old former No. 1 overall draft pick impressed in his first season, averaging 22.7 points, 7.5 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game. Despite this strong performance, the Pistons finished with a 14-68 record, their worst record for two consecutive seasons.
Cunningham finished third in the Rookie of the Year voting in 2022 behind Scottie Barnes and Evan Mobley, both of whom are also likely to receive maximum contract extensions. Cunningham missed a significant portion of his sophomore season due to a leg injury but showed improvement in his third year as a shooter and playmaker.
The Pistons have appointed J.B. Bickerstaff as their new head coach after firing Monty Williams despite having $65 million remaining on his contract. Bickerstaff will be tasked with developing Cunningham into the star player he is projected to be by signing him to a four-year deal worth $80 million if Cunningham earns an All-NBA spot during the 2024-25 season.
In conclusion, the Detroit Pistons have made a significant investment in young star Cade Cunningham by extending his contract for another five years at a maximum value of $226 million. The Pistons’ poor performance in recent seasons did not deter them from extending their top player’s contract for what could potentially be worth even more if he earns an All-NBA spot in the future seasons under JB Bickerstaff coaching guidance