The 2018 NBA Manifesto
Dante Cunningham
SF/PF - 6’8, 230lbs - 31 years old - 9 years of experience
Prior to this season, Dante Cunningham had essentially had the same season over and over again. Languishing somewhere between a small forward and a power forward – without the foot speed or ball skill for a small forward, too small and poor on the glass for a face-up power forward – he plied his trade as a corner shooter and decent defender, never ever that much of a presence on the court but at least rarely making any errors along the way.
He still did this, for the most part. But after his trade to the Nets, he put up one of the best stretches of his career. Empowered to fire up shots from the outside in a way he has never done before – even when a more featured scorer back in his Villanova days, it was more around the basket and on mid-range shots – Cunningham thrived in what was often a small-ball centre role, enjoying the empowering offensive freedom of Kenny Atkinson’s system and rebounding like never before. Or at least, not for a good few years.
Whether Brooklyn intends to re-sign him or not, whichever team that takes him on should anticipate a reversion to the mean. By trade, Cunningham is a little-things player, occasionally useful defensively on certain match-ups and in rotating about a bit, occasionally a decent outside shooter, but nothing spectacular. He still will be that. But in thriving just before hitting free agency and showing an ability to play yet another position to decent effect, Cunningham enters the market with a bit of momentum, which should lead to future employment somewhere.
Player Plan: Entering unrestricted free agency. Plenty valid as a minimum salary contract returnee, yet considering the wider need to upgrade talent, it is certainly no priority.
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SF/PF - 6’8, 230lbs - 31 years old - 9 years of experience
Prior to this season, Dante Cunningham had essentially had the same season over and over again. Languishing somewhere between a small forward and a power forward – without the foot speed or ball skill for a small forward, too small and poor on the glass for a face-up power forward – he plied his trade as a corner shooter and decent defender, never ever that much of a presence on the court but at least rarely making any errors along the way.
He still did this, for the most part. But after his trade to the Nets, he put up one of the best stretches of his career. Empowered to fire up shots from the outside in a way he has never done before – even when a more featured scorer back in his Villanova days, it was more around the basket and on mid-range shots – Cunningham thrived in what was often a small-ball centre role, enjoying the empowering offensive freedom of Kenny Atkinson’s system and rebounding like never before. Or at least, not for a good few years.
Whether Brooklyn intends to re-sign him or not, whichever team that takes him on should anticipate a reversion to the mean. By trade, Cunningham is a little-things player, occasionally useful defensively on certain match-ups and in rotating about a bit, occasionally a decent outside shooter, but nothing spectacular. He still will be that. But in thriving just before hitting free agency and showing an ability to play yet another position to decent effect, Cunningham enters the market with a bit of momentum, which should lead to future employment somewhere.
Player Plan: Entering unrestricted free agency. Plenty valid as a minimum salary contract returnee, yet considering the wider need to upgrade talent, it is certainly no priority.
