The Detroit Pistons emerged as one of the NBA’s most surprising success stories during the 2025 season, largely thanks to the impressive performances of their key backcourt players. The dynamic duo of Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey, both former top-five draft picks, became central to Detroit’s remarkable progress. Questions surrounding whether they could effectively play together faded as their early-season chemistry turned heads across the league.
Pistons center Jalen Duren recently expressed strong confidence in the guard duo’s long-term potential, emphasizing the limitless ceiling they represent for the team’s future. As the Pistons aim to build on their momentum, Duren’s outlook underscores a growing belief in Detroit’s young core.
Early Promise and Unexpected Setbacks for Cunningham and Ivey
During their initial stages in the NBA, doubts were raised about the compatibility of Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey in the same backcourt. However, head coach J.B. Bickerstaff implemented a system that highlighted their complementary skills and fostered their development. Both guards appeared poised for career-best seasons in 2025, until Ivey suffered a season-ending leg injury in January, abruptly halting his momentum.
Prior to his injury, Ivey was averaging 17.6 points and 4.0 assists per game while shooting close to 41% from three-point range. Meanwhile, Cunningham’s breakout performance included All-Star and All-NBA honors, firmly establishing him as one of the league’s elite young stars. Their combined potential suggested Detroit could soon possess one of the NBA’s most promising young backcourts.
Jalen Duren’s Confidence in the Guard Duo’s Growth
Attending a recent Big3 event, Pistons center Jalen Duren shared his view on the trajectory of Cunningham and Ivey, stating,
“Man sky’s the limit, they don’t have no ceiling man,”
Duren said.
“I feel like our team doesn’t have a ceiling. We have a lot of young guys who are just growing and getting better as time goes on.”
His remarks highlight a belief not only in the two guards but in the entire young Pistons roster, suggesting that Detroit’s best days could lie ahead as these athletes continue developing their skills and gaining experience.
What This Means for Detroit’s Future Prospects
With Cunningham emerging as a leading star and Ivey poised to return from injury, the Pistons have a foundation capable of sustaining long-term success. Jalen Duren’s confidence echoes the franchise’s optimism as they leverage their youth to challenge more established teams. If Ivey regains his previous form, and together with Cunningham continue advancing, Detroit’s guard duo could become one of the NBA’s elite tandems.
This upward trajectory supports hopes for Detroit to not only build playoff relevance but eventually contend at a higher level. The team’s young talent pool is maturing rapidly, and the Pistons’ management and coaching staff have aimed to create an environment conducive to sustained growth. As a result, the 2025 season might be remembered as the turning point for Detroit’s reemergence as a formidable NBA franchise.