An anonymous NBA executive expressed sympathy for Cade Cunningham, the No. 1 pick in 2021, due to the current situation with the Detroit Pistons.
The executive’s comments came after Detroit’s unexpected selection of Ron Holland II at No. 5 in the draft.
Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo of ESPN wrote that the pick raised eyebrows because Holland’s shooting abilities do not fit the team’s needs.
Detroit’s new general manager, Trajan Langdon, prioritized talent over roster fit, causing speculation about potential changes to the Pistons’ lineup.
The executive stated, “I feel bad for Cade Cunningham. They’ve been rebuilding for years even though they never planned on it, and this pick signals they might need to blow up the roster and start over again.”
The executive also questioned how Holland would fit with other young players like Ausar Thompson and Jaden Ivey.
He described the situation as a mess, noting, “Even when Holland was scoring in Vegas, it was so ugly to watch.”
This past season, Cunningham averaged a career-high 22.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 7.5 assists in 33.5 minutes per game.
The Pistons’ recent draft decisions and ongoing rebuild have led to concerns about the team’s future and Cunningham’s development.
