OKC Thunder Draft: 2 NBA star comparisons for Cade Cunningham

NBA Comparison No. 2) Jayson Tatum

Over the past several months, we’ve heard Cade Cunningham comparisons ranging from Luka Doncic (which, as one can tell from the previous slide, we can see) to Ben Simmons with a jumper.

While both types of players — especially Simmons with a jumper — would be unbelievable additions to the OKC Thunder or, frankly, any team, we believe that these comparisons are not entirely accurate when it comes to the Dallas native, for he’s simply not as skilled or polished as Doncic when it comes to serving at the point guard position and he doesn’t have anywhere near the passing skills of either Luka of Simmons — not yet, anyway.

When observing his game, Cunningham certainly displays the abilities to be a point forward-type of player in the NBA but seems more comfortable spending the majority of his time trying to buy a bucket for himself rather than always being on the lookout for a quick dime.

Frankly, of all the current players in the league, we believe that Boston Celtics star wing, Jayson Tatum, is a much better comparison when it comes to the incoming rookie, which by no means is a bad thing.

Boasting the exact same height and a similar weight and wingspan, Tatum, too, is a tremendous on-ball player who, like Cunningham, thrives when in isolation sets and is heading downhill.

Though he can stroke it from downtown and in the midrange, because of his build, the 2x All-Star also excels when attacking the rim and banging down low and can also defend multiple positions on the less glamorous side of the ball as well — all similar attributes to what Cunningham provides as well.

Now, while some may be a bit perplexed when it comes to us believing Tatum to be the most accurate comparison to Cade, for the shamrocks star is not necessarily known for his playmaking abilities, he has certainly put this specific skill set on display at times, specifically during last year’s postseason where he went on to dish out five assists per game during the team’s Eastern Conference Finals run.

In truth, Cade Cunningham does not have the slickness and overall skill set to be a top-notch primary ball-handler and lead playmaker for an NBA team, but this should not be taken as an insult.

Instead, his skills would likely best be utilized whilst serving as his ball-clubs go-to scoring option on who can serve as a secondary ball handled while also possessing the capability of thriving on-ball, be it to find an open teammate or to create for himself with ease.

By all accounts, the level that Jayson Tatum finds himself at is a fantastic bar for Cunningham to strive towards and is perhaps the most realistic of all others that have been linked to the Oklahoma State stud.