Spurs Rumors: Trade for Pistons' Cade Cunningham?
Despite being the cellar-dwellers of the NBA Western Conference, the San Antonio Spurs are projected to be buyers at the February 8 NBA Trade Deadline. The Spurs have a war chest of future picks that they can use to draft talent to pair with Victor Wembanyama or part with those assets for tried-and-true players.
At this point of the season, the 4-22 Spurs must go all-in on developing Wembanyama. He is emerging as a once-in-a-lifetime talent, and surrounding him with four players who complement him is the clear path to the rebuild. Jeremy Sochan has been excellent alongside Wembanyama since being relieved of point guard duties, and the Spurs desperately need backcourt help.
Dec 15, 2023; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) dunks during the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Frost Bank Center.
© Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
Bill Simmons of the Ringer proposed two trades with the lowly Detroit Pistons that could help solve the Spurs’ issues. The first is rather straightforward:
The New York Knicks receive Bojan Bogdanovic, the Detroit Pistons receive Cedi Osman, Doug McDermott, 2024, ‘25 second-round picks back from NYK, and the San Antonio Spurs receive Killian Hayes and Evan Fournier.
Evan Fournier, who was once a 17-points-per-game scorer, is not the long-term answer San Antonio needs in the backcourt. Killian Hayes is intriguing, and it’s not like McDermott or Osman will contribute to winning long-term, but he can’t shoot. His defense is overrated, and yes, he can get the ball to Wemby or Devin Vassell, but he is not the star pairing that the Spurs are looking for. The main reason the Spurs would go for it? “Wemby has French guys to hang out with,” joked Simmons.
For the Spurs to acquire a star, Simmons and his guest Ryen Russillo stay in Detroit.
“Why can’t the Spurs trade for Cade Cunningham?” asks Simmons. “They could give Detroit their first-round pick, which would be a top-five or top-six pick this year, and Tornonto’s first this year, which is top-six protected. They could give them Atlanta’s ‘25 first and throw in Chicago’s [2025] first…Like, just say f*ck it, Wemby’s special. What are we waiting for? This draft isn’t even that great. Let’s go get Cade Cunningham now, Detroit is a mess.”
Cunningham is currently averaging 22.2 points, seven assists, and a steal for the league-worst Pistons. He is surrounded by the worst shooting lineup in the league, and there is no spacing to speak of. Think about how he would excel alongside Wemby, Vassell, Sochan, and Johnson!
Of course, there is no way that Detroit would go for it. That would involve Tom Gores, the absent owner, caring about his team. It would involve clearing house, firing GM Troy Weaver and his staff, and handing the reigns (and numerous new draft picks) to new management. It was the exact same situation Weaver found himself in when he was hired in 2020, so it would be an admission of defeat.
“[Detroit] could lose every game for the rest of the year,” Russillo said. “The front office doesn’t want to turn to the fan base and be like, ‘Okay, you know, we screwed it up.’” That’s the thing about the league-worst Pistons: they aren’t tanking. They are trying to win games, they have so much young talent, but the roster construction is horrible. Cleaning house would mean throwing away a four-year rebuild and starting from scratch, which is incomprehensible to Michiganders.
Even if the Spurs offer an absurd package for Cunningham to form the best young core in the league, the Pistons simply won’t let him go, it would be waving the white flag.
Unfortunately, the Spurs will have to wait for the upcoming draft to find a pick-and-roll running mate for Wembanyama. For now, fans should just enjoy the ride, see what Wemby has to offer, and wait for brighter skies.
