Key Points:
Cade Cunningham re-signed with Detroit in summer 2024
He signed a deal with Nike recently
Gilbert Arenas shared his opinion on the shoe company’s preferences
The Detroit Pistons had the Eastern Conference’s best record at 13-2 as of Wednesday night, a half game ahead of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 14-1 mark.
The Pistons are led by Cade Cunningham, the dynamic former number one overall pick whose game has blossomed under coach J.B. Bickerstaff.
Recently, Cunningham signed a landmark deal with the Nike sneaker and apparel company that will give him his own signature shoe on par with legends of the NBA.
That could spell trouble for Detroit Pistons fans down the road according to comments made by former Washington Wizards star Gilbert ‘Agent Zero’ Arenas.
Arenas Floats Cunningham Conspiracy
Arenas floated a Nike/Cunningham conspiracy as he warned Pistons fans about the shoe company’s alleged agenda.
“If you are a Pistons fan you should be worried,” Arenas said. “Nike has its own agenda. And I am pretty sure Cade staying in Detroit isn’t a part of their agenda.”
Cunningham signed a five-year, $224 million contract extension in July 2024 to stay with the Pistons for the foreseeable future.
The 24-year-old old guard/forward is averaging 27.3 points per game, 5.4 rebounds and 9.9 assists this season.
He was the number one pick out of Oklahoma State in 2021.
Fans React to Arenas Warning
Fans questioned the timing of Arenas’ comments with the Pistons on an 11-game winning streak and Detroit feeling the good vibes in recent days.
“11-game winning streak and he says (expletive) like this get out,” one fan said.
“This man hates Detroit from every fiber of his body,” another said.
“Gilbert is just salty Cade is being called a superstar and he never was,” another said of the former Wizards guard.
“There’s truth here,” another said. “Nike absolutely prefers stars in big markets, but Cade’s situation is early.”
“He just re-signed relax lol,” another added.
Pistons Hit the Road to Face Bucks Saturday
The Pistons will take on the Bucks without superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo on Saturday in Milwaukee with ‘The Greek Freak’ nursing a low grade left groin strain expected to keep him out up to two weeks.
The Pistons’ Jalen Duren has vaulted himself into All-Star Game consideration this season, putting up historic numbers on par with only the Nuggets’ former MVP Nikola Jokic in recent days.
Cunningham and the Pistons have great cohesion and are playing like a united group so far this season.
Cunningham’s glowingly positive reviews of Detroit in recent years suggests that he is likely to stay with the Pistons until his contract is up, barring unforeseen circumstances.