Cade Cunningham sure looked like the No. 1 draft pick all season at Oklahoma State with his fluid game, scoring ability and passing — all in a 6-foot-8 frame.
So it was no surprise the Detroit Pistons grabbed the freshman All-American with the top pick to open the draft Thursday night in New York. And it was the start of multiple teams spending high picks on playmakers with size, including Florida State forward Scottie Barnes and Australian teenager Josh Giddey climbing higher than expected as top-six picks.
Cunningham had been widely expected to be the first name called in New York, though Pistons general manager Troy Weaver wouldn’t reveal plans earlier this week and said the team would look at every scenario, including trades.