The Detroit Pistons are securing their franchise player for the long term.
The team is prepared to offer point guard Cade Cunningham a five-year rookie extension worth $226 million to remain in the Motor City, with the first year of the deal in 2025-26 set at 25% of that season's salary cap.
The 22-year-old is coming off the best season of his young career in 2023-24, averaging 22.7 points, 7.5 assists, and 4.3 rebounds in 62 games.
The contract could reach up to $270 million, or 30% of the Pistons' 2025-26 season salary cap if Cunningham meets supermax criteria by making an All-NBA team in 2024-25.
The agreement, which would keep the 6-foot-6 player in Detroit until the end of the 2029-30 NBA season, is the richest contract in Pistons franchise history.
It was a challenging campaign for the Pistons, finishing with a 14-68 record, the worst in the league that season and the worst in franchise history.
Pistons embark on new chapter with J.B. Bickerstaff
The Pistons have also concluded their head coaching search by hiring J.B. Bickerstaff on a four-year deal.
The 45-year-old tactician last coached the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2020 to 2024, guiding the team to the playoffs for the past two seasons in their most successful run in the post-LeBron James era.
The move is part of several personnel revamps for the Pistons, which included the hiring of Trajan Langdon to assume the role of President of Basketball Operations and the dismissal of general manager Troy Weaver.
Related Article: New Orleans Pelicans Acquire Former All-Star Dejounte Murray in Blockbuster Trade With Atlanta Hawks
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
