NBA Draft 2021: 5 best potential fits for OK State star Cade Cunningham

This year’s NBA Draft has a potential perennial All-Star at the top: Oklahoma State’s Cade Cunningham. He entered the college season as the projected No. 1 pick and did nothing to lose that standing. In high school, Cunningham was a facilitator, often looking to get his teammates involved and making incredibly smart decisions.

In his lone college season, he showed off his scoring, going for over 20 points per game and making 40% of his shots from deep. There are holes to nitpick Cunningham, but he feels like a very safe player with star upside.

When looking at the 14 teams who could potentially land the top pick, it’s conceivable that 13 of them would use it on Cunningham. Charlotte is the lone exception, with their jumbo creator of the future in place, and a need for front-court depth (Evan Mobley on line one). With that in mind, here’s a look at my five favorite fits for Cunningham in the lottery.

1. New Orleans Pelicans

Zion Williamson showed tremendous growth and took the leap many expected in his first fully healthy season. Yet Williamson’s heroics were not enough to make the playoffs in the daunting Western Conference, leading to the firing of Stan Van Gundy. With most of their cap tied up this offseason (they are paying Steven Adams and Eric Bledsoe a combined 35 million next season) (*gulp), there is not a ton of space to make the team instantly better.

But, a miraculous lottery win (4.5% chance of the No. 1 pick) would do the trick. Pairing Cunningham with Williamson would instantly make the Pelicans the most exciting young team in the league. It would also be the best pairing of teammates under 21 years old, maybe ever.

Offensively, the Pelicans would have two players who could create offense. Either could be used as a screener or a roll man in the half-court. When one sits, the other could take full command of the offense. Cunningham’s shooting makes him playable off the ball. Both players excel in transition as well, and the potential alley-oops would certainly highlight-worthy.

Cunningham’s defense could also be of value, as his size and strength would allow him to switch onto multiple defenders. New Orleans finished 23rd in defensive efficiency last season and they might lose their best perimeter defender in Lonzo Ball this offseason.

Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin has had tons of lottery success before, landing three No. 1 picks in Cleveland before turning a 6% chance into Williamson in 2019. Nabbing Cunningham in this draft would turn the Pelicans into a playoff contender and make it the most enticing open head coaching job in the association.