The Detroit Pistons have signed a five-year, $226 million maximum contract extension with Cade Cunningham, their 22-year-old star player. Despite having an impressive season and establishing himself as the team’s top player, the Pistons finished with a 14-68 record in 2021, the worst in the league for the second consecutive year.
Cunningham missed a significant portion of his sophomore season due to a leg injury but showed improvement in his third year, especially as a shooter and playmaker. He finished third in the Rookie of the Year voting in 2022 behind Scottie Barnes and Evan Mobley, both of whom are also likely to receive maximum contract extensions.
The Pistons have appointed J.B. Bickerstaff as their new head coach, signing him to a four-year deal. Bickerstaff will be tasked with developing Cunningham into the star player he is projected to be. Bickerstaff takes over from Monty Williams, who was fired despite having $65 million remaining on his contract.
