14-68! That’s the record the Pistons finished with last season, their worst in franchise history. So obviously, there was nowhere left to go but up. And they were off to a promising start, already cumulating half the wins they did last year in just seventeen games. But it looks like they are beginning to succumb to their old habits as they lost tonight’s game against the Hornets. Moreover, Cade Cunningham left the game before the final whistle because of an unfortunate injury. And Pistons fans could do nothing but pray for their star player.

Well, it looked like the team was heading toward another blowout loss as they started the fourth quarter with a double-digit deficit. But they somehow muscled a comeback to force overtime. Unfortunately, their momentum took a massive halt when Cunningham got subbed out just one second before the end of regulation because of a left hip injury. With 27 points, he was the team’s leading scorer before injury took him out.

Obviously, his team struggled in OT without their best player and lost by two points. Well, it seems like that has been the story ever since Cade got drafted three years ago. While he has the caliber to be a superstar and has elevated his game each season, the Pistons have failed to capitalize on his talent and have a successful season.

Even in the last nine games, Cade has scored three triple-doubles and has been doing it all on the court. But the Pistons? They are 4-5 in those games. And their constant struggles have left many wondering… Is Cade Cunningham wasting his talent in Detroit?

NBA World urges the Pistons to “help” Cade Cunningham amid injury woes

Seeing the Pistons lose in overtime in Cade’s absence, fans began noticing a pattern and comments like “Save him from the Pistons” and “Get that man some help or trade him” began flooding in. Yes, as talented as Cade is, his numbers will not have much meaning until they translate to wins for his team. And that might not be possible unless the Pistons make a roster change and add some new pieces.

Sure enough, several netizens pointed it out as one wrote even though Cade is putting up All-Star numbers, his “Team trash tho smh.” Meanwhile, one downplayed his amazing stretch saying, “All they got. Somebody gotta get the ball.” With no other star, many believe Cade is bound to have great numbers because he is forced to do everything on the court. And he is unlikely to get the respect he deserves until the team starts winning.

Obviously, many fans do not have much hope for the Pistons and want Cunningham to be traded to a title-contending team. One wrote “he deserves better” while a netizen even suggested that he should become a “Laker”.

However, that is unlikely to happen anytime soon because Cade just inked a five-year extension earlier this summer and the Pistons are unlikely to let go of the biggest asset they have right now. But if they want to succeed with Cade, they will have to make some mid-season trades for a chance to at least make the playoffs. Well, it looks like it’s time for the front office to get to work before the risk of Cade demanding a trade begins looming.