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OKC Thunder: NBA draft prospect profile – Cade Cunningham

By Tamberlyn Richardson

OKC Thunder: Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Cade Cunningham (2) Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports
OKC Thunder: Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Cade Cunningham (2) Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cade Cunningham (2) takes the court against the Baylor Bears during the first half at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

The majority of analysts and franchises agree Cade Cunningham is the definitive top draft pick. When the OKC Thunder fully invested in the tank mid-season, Sam Presti had a laser focus on winning the top draft pick in order to land Cunningham.

There are a handful of prospects projected to become future All-Stars and who could also expedite a team’s timeline. But make no mistake the Oklahoma State guard is the big prize.

Whispers that Troy Weaver and the Pistons might be willing to trade down or swap picks reinvigorated the Thunder fanbase. As Intentions outlined recently the sixth pick or packaging all three first-round picks aren’t likely to move the bar. However, with 38 picks to use in negotiations Sam Presti has much more draft capital than any other team to tempt his former colleague with.

That factor alone keeps the OKC Thunder in the mix and no doubt will keep Presti and his team busy as they attempt to make that wish a reality.

OKC Thunder draft prospect profile for Cade Cunningham:

Specifics:

  • Height: 6’8″
  • Weight: 220 pounds
  • Wingspan: 7′
  • Position: Guard
  • Birthdate/Age:  September 25, 2001, 19 years
  • College: Oklahoma State, freshman
  • Stat line: 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.6 steals
  • Home Town: Arlington, Texas

Box Score Statistics:

Per Game Table
Season Conf G MP FGA FG% 2PA 2P% 3PA 3P% FTA FT% TRB AST STL BLK TOV PTS
2020-21 Big 12 27 35.4 14.8 .438 9.1 .461 5.7 .400 5.8 .846 6.2 3.5 1.6 0.8 4.0 20.1
Career 27 35.4 14.8 .438 9.1 .461 5.7 .400 5.8 .846 6.2 3.5 1.6 0.8 4.0 20.1

Provided by CBB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 7/9/2021.

Current Ranking:

As noted, Cunningham is deemed the top pick by most analysts regardless of whether the Pistons and Rockets would prefer Jaylen Green. The bottom line is no front office executive (even Weaver) won’t select him if they are making the first pick.

With that let’s dive a little deeper into Cunningham to determine his strengths and weaknesses.

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