BREAKING: Could Cade Be the Next Face of the Warriors? Trade Proposal Sends Shockwaves Through NBA
A major shift may be underway in the NBA offseason as multiple league sources confirm that the Golden State Warriors are engaged in serious trade discussions to acquire Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham.
While no deal has been finalized, a proposed trade package has been circulating among front offices and league insiders, potentially setting the stage for one of the most significant moves of the summer.
Proposed Trade:
Golden State receives:
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Cade Cunningham (G)
Detroit receives:
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Jonathan Kuminga (F)
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Moses Moody (G)
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Gary Payton II (G)
According to reports, this potential deal represents more than a short-term push for contention. Rather, the Warriors may view Cunningham as a foundational piece for their future beyond the era of Stephen Curry.
“This isn’t about now — it’s about what comes after Steph Curry,” an NBA executive told ESPN. “Cade could be the bridge to the next dynasty, but Golden State will have to pay up.”
Cunningham, the first overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, has shown flashes of elite potential despite being part of a rebuilding Pistons roster. At 23 years old, he averaged 22.7 points, 7.5 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game last season. His combination of size, skill, and playmaking has made him one of the league’s most promising young guards.
However, acquiring a player of Cunningham’s caliber would come at a significant cost. Kuminga and Moody are viewed as two of Golden State’s most valuable young assets, and Payton II has been a critical contributor defensively since rejoining the team. Trading all three would signal a clear shift in the Warriors’ organizational direction.
Still, the move would also allow the team to transition smoothly from its current core into a new competitive window. Cunningham could serve as both a co-star in the present and a franchise leader in the post-Curry era.
Reactions from around the league have been mixed. Some executives believe the deal would give the Warriors the rare opportunity to stay competitive now while securing their long-term future. Others argue that giving up multiple rotation players and former lottery picks is too steep a price for a player who has yet to prove himself in a winning environment.
As it stands, discussions between Golden State and Detroit are said to be “active but not imminent.” Both sides are expected to continue evaluating their options in the coming days.
If completed, the trade would mark one of the most consequential deals in recent franchise history and could dramatically alter the landscape of the Western Conference.
For now, the basketball world watches and waits.