The sentiment on Cade Cunningham has soured over the losing streak and in turn, some of the blame has been placed on the Piston’s number one option. The former number-one overall pick has not taken the “leap” that some Pistons fans expected. However, I looked into some perennial all-stars and their numbers after their 3rd year, players that I think Cade could be comparable to and I think they are pretty similar. All of the three players listed have been successful as the number one option at some point in their careers.

DISCLAIMER: I am not saying Cade is better than the players listed nor am I saying he is a guaranteed number-one option in the NBA. All I want to get out of this is that some should have optimism for the future of Cade and his career.

Cade Cunningham: 22.2 pts 7.1 ast 3.7 reb 4.5 tov 41% fg 33% 3fg 3.9 FT- 4.4 FTA 31.1 usg 2-15 35.5 min

-76 games played prior to 3rd year

Paul George: 17.4 pts 4.1 ast 7.6 reb 2.9 tov 42% fg 36% 3fg 2.8 FT-3.5 FTA 23.5 usg 49-32 37.6 min

-127 games played prior to 3rd year

Devin Booker: 24.9 pts 4.7 ast 4.5 reb 3.6 tov 43% fg 38% 3fg 4.7 FT-5.7 FTA 31.7 21-61 34.5 min

-154 games played prior to 3rd year

Trae Young: 25.3 pts 9.4 ast 3.9 reb 4.1 tov 44% fg 34% 3fg 33.0 7.7 FT-8.7 FTA usg 41-31 33.7 min

-141 games played prior to 3rd year

When diving deep into these guards and their efficiency, assist-to-turnover ratio, and usage rate you can see the similarities. The only thing I think Cade has a clear disadvantage in is his three-point efficiency, which other than defensive engagement is Cade’s biggest flaw. Turnovers are a kink that has to be ironed out in young guards with high usage rates. James Harden with a usage rate of over 30 has never averaged under 4 turnovers a game. Keep in mind as well Cade has almost played half the games coming into his 3rd year as these guys.

In Conclusion, I think personally Cade’s “underdevelopment is overstated. He is a developing guard asked to do too much. He is playing way too many minutes, asked to initiate too much on offense, and is forced to take bad shots.