NBA Insider: Pistons’ Cade Cunningham ‘99.9%’ Likely to Get Max Contract Extension

As the Detroit Pistons try to figure out a path to success, Cade Cunningham seems likely to be a huge part of their long-term future.

Per The Athletic’s James Edwards III, Cunningham is “99.9 percent” likely to sign a max extension with the Pistons this offseason.

The Pistons can offer Cunningham a five-year deal that could be worth up to $225 million. This summer marks the first time he is eligible to sign an extension.

Cunningham is under contract for $13.9 million next season and will be a restricted free agent in the summer of 2025 if he doesn’t sign the deal.

Coming off the worst season in franchise history with a 14-68 record, the Pistons made a significant change in their front office. General manager Troy Weaver left after four seasons and Trajan Langdon was named president of basketball operations on June 1.

Per ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the Pistons could have up to $66 million in cap space this summer if they decline Evan Fournier’s team option and waive Troy Brown Jr. and Stanley Umude.

There have been rumblings Detroit could be aggressive in free agency with the hope of making a quick turnaround. Edwards previously reported Nic Claxton could be targeted by the team if he leaves the Brooklyn Nets.

The potential addition of Claxton would create a problem because Jalen Duren was arguably the Pistons’ second-best player last season and he’s only 20 years old, but they are starting from such a low point that every option should be on the table right now.

If there is a concern about Cunningham’s long-term potential, he has missed a lot of time early in his career. He has only played 138 games over the past three seasons, including 12 during the 2022-23 season due to a stress fracture in his shin that required surgery.

Still, Cunningham is the one player on the roster who looks like a potential future All-Star. The No. 1 pick in the 2021 NBA draft set career-highs in scoring average (22.7), assists (7.5), field-goal percentage (44.9) and three-point percentage (35.5) in 62 appearances last season.