The wraps come off tonight.
Cade Cunningham will make his NBA debut against the Orlando Magic at Little Caesars Arena. The top pick in the 2021 draft has missed the first four Detroit Pistons games due to an ankle injury.
“He’s good to go,” coach Dwane Casey said.
PISTONS STOCK WATCH:This team might have a new best player
PREVIOUSLY:Cade Cunningham won’t fix these Pistons — but he’ll help a lot
Cunningham, the team’s first No. 1 overall pick in over half a century, will start and play 20-25 minutes. He practiced with the G League Motor City Cruise while the team was on a road trip this week and then practiced with the team on Friday.
“Shorter bursts, shorter stints, got him on a minutes count,” Casey said. “Tell the fans don’t be chanting for Cade because the medical people will have me arrested if I play him over a certain number of minutes.”
The Pistons will run out their preseason projected five: Cunningham, Killian Hayes, Saddiq Bey, Jerami Grant and Isaiah Stewart.
Cunningham should provide offense to a Pistons team that averages 94 points (30th in the league) and shoots 40.8% from the field (29th).
[ The Free Press has started a new digital subscription model. Here’s how you can gain access to our most exclusive content. ]
Casey’s advice to the prized prospect was just to enjoy the moment. The head coach wouldn’t reveal during his pregame conference whether Cunningham would be in the starting lineup.
“He told me he’s been playing since he was 4, so do what you’ve been doing since you were 4?” he said. “Have fun, compete, don’t worry about mistakes, have a ‘next play’ mentality. As adults, we understand he feels pressure but he shouldn’t.
“He should go out there, have fun, compete and let everything else take care of itself as he knocks off the rust.”
Follow the Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for more news.
Your subscription makes work like this possible. Get exclusive subscriber content and more here.
