Pistons fans rejoiced in the summer of 2021 when Detroit’s long history of bad luck in the NBA Draft lottery finally changed for the better as they landed the No. 1 pick.

If you ask the general manager of the Pistons, Troy Weaver, he will tell you he wrestled with the decision of who to take with the pickup until the day of the draft. But, to most people, the decision was clear. Cade Cunningham was the No. 1 pick, and that ended up being the case.

The Pistons finally got their guy, and Cunningham seemed to be a perfect fit. However, fast forward now to the beginning of last season. Cunningham was dealing with an ankle injury that led him to miss most of training camp, the entire preseason, and the first five games to start his rookie season. He then debuted against the Orlando Magic, playing 19 minutes, scoring two points, and grabbing seven rebounds.

Cunningham struggled with his efficiency early in the season for roughly his first ten games. But given he was mainly a non-participant in training camp and did not play in the preseason, some rust was expected for the rookie as he began his journey in the Association. Nevertheless, Cunningham gradually started to find his groove in the league and with the Pistons as the season progressed.

He was eventually selected to play in the 2022 Rising Stars Game along with fellow Pistons teammates Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart, speaking to the young talent surrounding Cunningham in Detroit. Cunningham went on to shine brighter than his Pistons teammates and all of his peers in the Rising Stars Game, leading his team to victory and securing the Rising Stars Game MVP.

Cunningham posted an impressive stat line of 18 points, seven rebounds, nine assists, two steals, and two blocks in the game. A successful first All-Star weekend experience for all the young Pistons players, but especially for Cunningham.

When the Pistons began the second half of their season after the All-Star break, Cunningham picked up right where he left off in the Rising Stars Game, and truth be told, he never looked back. In the second half of the season, he averaged 21.1 points, 6.5 assists, and 5.7 rebounds and helped lead the Pistons to a more competitive second half.

During this stretch, Cunningham looked every bit like the guy the Pistons wanted when they selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. He made a late push for the Rookie of the Year trophy, but ultimately the award was given to Toronto’s Scottie Barnes. Cunningham finished his rookie campaign averaging 17.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.6 assists a game while shooting 41.6 percent from the field and 31.4 percent from three-point land.

As noted earlier, improving his efficiency will be the key to improving Cunningham’s game. He has already shown that he is skilled in so many ways. If he can start to do all of that a little more efficiently while shooting the ball and cut down on his turnovers a bit this season, he could potentially be on his way to his first All-Star season.

The Pistons also seem to have done well in this year’s draft picking up Cunningham’s new backcourt mate Jaden Ivey out of Purdue and big man Jalen Duren out of Memphis. After a lengthy rebuild, things seem to be coming together for the Pistons as an organization. Although there is still a lot of work to be done on the court, Cade Cunningham is the unquestioned face of the whole restoration in Motor City.