The Detroit Pistons are locking up their franchise cornerstone.

Shams Charania of The Athletic reports that the Pistons and star guard Cade Cunningham have agreed to terms on a five-year max contract worth $226 million.

Cunningham, 22, was the first-overall pick in 2021 and is coming off a breakout season in his third NBA campaign. Last year Cunningham set career-highs with 22.7 points and 7.2 assists in 62 games.

The rebuilding Pistons have faced a lot of uncertainty in recent seasons. The club recently hired Trajan Langdon as their new president of basketball operations and this contract is the first major commitment made in the Langdon era. Now the focus will be on surrounding Cunningham with other stars to help snap Detroit’s five-year playoff drought.

The Detroit Pistons and their number one overall draft pick, Cade Cunningham, have reached an agreement on a five-year, $226 million contract. This deal solidifies Cunningham as the face of the franchise and sets him up for a lucrative career in the NBA.

Cunningham, a highly touted prospect out of Oklahoma State University, was selected by the Pistons with the first pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. The 6’8″ guard/forward has drawn comparisons to NBA stars like Luka Doncic and Grant Hill for his versatile skill set and basketball IQ.

The contract agreement between Cunningham and the Pistons is the largest rookie deal in NBA history, surpassing the previous record set by Zion Williamson in 2019. The deal includes the standard rookie scale salary for the first two years, followed by a maximum extension in years three through five.

This contract is a testament to the Pistons’ belief in Cunningham’s potential as a franchise player. The team sees him as a cornerstone of their rebuilding efforts and a player who can lead them back to playoff contention in the near future.

Cunningham’s signing also reflects the changing landscape of NBA contracts, with young players commanding larger and longer deals earlier in their careers. This trend has been driven by the increasing value of television rights deals and the league’s growing revenue streams.

Overall, the agreement between the Pistons and Cade Cunningham is a win-win for both parties. The Pistons secure their future with a talented young player, while Cunningham receives financial security and the opportunity to showcase his skills on a big stage. Fans can look forward to seeing Cunningham develop into a star player for years to come.