NBA Rumors: Cade Cunningham Expected to Get 5-Year, $226M Pistons Max Rookie Contract

Kenny Giarla/NBAE via The Detroit Pistons' franchise player is reportedly staying put for the immediate future.

Detroit plans on signing guard Cade Cunningham to a five-year, $226 million max rookie contract extension, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania and James L. Edwards III .

The Pistons already exercised club options in 2023-24 and 2024-25 on Cunningham's previous deal, and he was eligible for an extension during the offseason ahead of the 2024-25 campaign. That left Detroit with a decision, which wasn't necessarily as easy as it seemed on the surface.

On the one hand, Cunningham is a franchise player and the No. 1 overall pick of the 2021 NBA draft who has shown far more than just flashes of excellence during the early portion of his career.

He has looked like a building block for years to come, which is underscored by the decision to sign him to an extension.

On the other hand, Cunningham's presence hasn't exactly led to many wins. The Pistons went 23-59 in his rookie season, 17-65 in his second season and 14-68 in his third.

Detroit could have waited before finalizing a new deal down the line since he was still previously under contract until the summer of 2025. Even then, he would have been a restricted free agent, meaning the team could have matched any offers and kept him on the roster.

The Pistons' front office still had plenty of team control and didn't necessarily need to rush into a decision.

Still, this gives a franchise that has struggled for years something to rally around moving forward.

Cunningham has shown steady improvement through his three seasons in the league, and the 2023-24 one was his best individual effort. He averaged 22.7 points, 7.5 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game while shooting 44.9 percent from the field and 35.5 percent from deep.

The points, assists, field-goal percentage and three-point percentage were all career-best numbers.

There might finally be some reason for optimism in Detroit, as Cunningham is just 22 years old. What's more, Jaden Ivey—the No. 5 overall pick of the 2022 draft—is also 22, while Jalen Duren—the No. 13 overall pick of the 2022 draft—is just 20.

Cunningham is now with the Pistons for the long run and will look to reestablish the only NBA team he has ever known as a winner.