Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham has earned high praise from two-time NBA champion Rajon Rondo, who envisions working alongside the young star in the future. Rondo emphasized Cunningham’s ability to influence the game on multiple levels, recognizing his talent as a three-level scorer capable of impacting both offense and defense.
Rondo explained on Run It Back,
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If I can get Cade to understand how to manage the game. Because he’s a 3-level scorer, he can manipulate the game on both ends of the floor. So, if I can get my hands on a Cade Cunningham, I think he could become that one type of point guard,
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—Rajon Rondo, NBA Champion. He further elaborated on the importance of adjustments depending on Cunningham’s role, saying,
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It’s only a couple of tweaks, and then it’s also about personnel. If he has to be the man, if he has to get 30, that’s what he has to do. But then, if he had two more superstars in the game, he wouldn’t have to manage and go get 30 every night,
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—Rajon Rondo, NBA Champion.
Cade Cunningham’s Breakout Season Leads Pistons Back to Playoffs
This season marked Cunningham’s first NBA All-Star selection, an achievement underlining his growth and value to the Detroit Pistons. He played a pivotal role in guiding the team to its first playoff appearance since 2019, boasting averages of 26.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 9.1 assists across 70 games, while maintaining efficient shooting at 46.9 percent.
New Pistons Additions Express Confidence in Team’s Young Core
The Pistons bolstered their roster during the offseason by signing Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson. LeVert expressed enthusiasm about joining a promising young group, noting their progression and competitive spirit. He identified Cunningham among other emerging players like Ausar, Ivey, Duren, and Stewart as key components of the team’s future.
Speaking to The Detroit News, LeVert stated,
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Obviously, they have really good young players in Cade, Duren, Ausar, Ivey, Stewart. When you’re a young player in this league, you’re kind of right there. I think the year before last, they were in a lot of games that they lost,
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—Caris LeVert, Detroit Pistons player. He added on the team’s growth mindset,
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I think this year they kind of took that step. I know J.B. was a big part of it, but I think that the guys took a step forward and had a component of ‘we’re not going to be that bad again this year.’ And I think that’s what you want as a young player. You want that hunger, I think these guys had it for sure,
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—Caris LeVert, Detroit Pistons player.
The Outlook for Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons
Cunningham’s ascent has generated excitement for the Pistons’ future, especially with veteran endorsements like Rondo’s backing his development. The combination of Cunningham’s individual skills, newly added talent such as LeVert and Robinson, and the team‘s young core suggests the Pistons are positioning themselves as a rising contender. How Cunningham adapts his leadership and integrates with skilled teammates will be crucial in shaping Detroit’s trajectory in the upcoming seasons.