The Detroit Pistons and Cade Cunningham are discussing a five-year, $226 million most rookie extension that might be the richest contract in franchise historical past, league sources confirmed to The Athletic on Sunday.
The deal isn’t finalized and will take time to iron out the small print, however either side are optimistic one thing will get finished within the close to future. Cunningham, the No. 1 decide within the 2021 NBA Draft, has been one of many few brilliant spots for a company that has spent the previous few years within the gutter.
The 22-year-old guard missed all however 12 video games because of a shin harm and surgical procedure however returned in his third yr to enhance immensely throughout the board regardless of taking part in on a 14-win crew that wasn’t essentially suited to his strengths.
Cunningham averaged 22.7 factors, 7.5 assists and 4.3 rebounds per sport whereas upping his field-goal share to 45 p.c and 3-point share to 35 p.c on excessive quantity. These numbers had been on par with the Orlando Magic’s Paolo Banchero, who was named an All-Star.
Cunningham proved he’s price constructing round for the longer term together with his play this previous season and the management he’s proven regardless of taking part in in a struggling, rebuilding state of affairs.
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(Photograph: Jess Rapfogel / Getty Photographs)
