Not the best athletes, yet they are able to use their basketball IQ to get to their spots

One of Luka Doncic’s biggest weaknesses entering the NBA was that he was not classified as being an explosive athlete and a player who can beat any player one-on-one because of his quick burst. While Cunningham is probably a better overall athlete than Doncic, he too is not close to being the best athlete in his draft class and is not really an explosive player. 

As mentioned before, both guys tend to take their time in picking their opponents apart, finding great success doing so, but they are also both highly skilled basketball players with high basketball IQs. 

Do not let his 4.0 turnovers per game stat fool you because Cade Cunningham is a terrific passer and terrific decision maker with the ball in his hands. The reason his turnover margin was so high this past season at Oklahoma State was because he always had the ball in his hands and he had one of the highest usage rates in the NCAA at just under 30%. 

Cunningham is only 19-years-old, he is going to make some mistakes, but the mistakes he makes are not because of a lack of skill or talent. He is arguably the smartest player in this draft class in terms of decision making on the offensive-end of the court, much like Luka Doncic. 

READ MORE: NBA Mock Draft 2021: Rockets Pick Cade Cunningham No. 1 Overall

With the Mavericks, Doncic has made a name for himself in the league for being a premier facilitator and primary scorer, something that Cunningham could become rather quickly in the NBA. His passing abilities are oftentimes overshadowed by his pure ability to score, but overall, Cade Cunningham just has a certain understanding for the game of basketball that other guys do not possess. 

While some guys try to beat their opponents with their gifted athletic abilities, blowing past them to the rim and pushing the pace in transition, Cade Cunningham relies on his abilities and his basketball IQ to make the best plays possible to set his team up for success.