Pistons' Cade Cunningham OUT For Season; Magic Affected in Victor Wembanyama Sweepstakes?

The Orlando Magic's chances at the top pick may have taken a shot after it was announced that Detroit Pistons point guard Cade Cunningham would miss the rest of the season.

Jeremy Brener | Dec 13, 2022

Pistons' Cade Cunningham OUT For Season; Magic Affected in Victor Wembanyama Sweepstakes? /

ORLANDO - A strong majority of Detroit Pistons fans are devastated after it was announced that last year's No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham would sit the rest of the season with a shin injury that will require surgery.

In 12 games this season, Cunningham averaged 19.9 points and six assists per game. The Pistons, who hold the league's worst record at 7-22, will now be forced to play without their star player and will almost certainly remain among the bottom-feeders in the NBA.

However, that may not be a terrible thing for this season's biggest loser.

The coveted prize that awaits one terrible team comes in a rather large size ... a 7-2 generational big man in French star Victor Wembanyama.

With Cunningham out for the year, the Pistons will be a favorite to claim one of the four top spots at this year's NBA lottery.

For the lottery, the three worst teams in the league will have the best odds - 14 percent - to claim the top pick and select Wembanyama. Last year, the Pistons, Houston Rockets and Orlando Magic held the best odds. Ultimately, the ping-pong balls landed in the Magic's favor and the team selected Paolo Banchero.

Before the team's current three-game win streak, the Magic held the league's worst record and many were thinking Orlando could net a second consecutive top pick. However, with the team winning and the Pistons projected to lose, the Magic may be failing in the fall for Wembanyama.

You can follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Magic? Click Here.

Follow The Magic Insider on Facebook.

Follow The Magic Insider on Twitter.

Want even more Orlando Magic news? Check out the SI.com team page here.

Published Dec 13, 2022

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.