The Detroit Pistons made a remarkable improvement during the 2024-25 NBA season, advancing to the playoffs after a disappointing 14-win campaign in 2023-24. This turnaround marked significant progress for the franchise, generating optimism around the team’s future. At the center of this rise is Cade Cunningham, the Pistons’ talented point guard and the first overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft, who continues to impress with his development.
With head coach J.B. Bickerstaff guiding the squad, Cunningham and the Pistons are aiming for an even more historic run in the 2025-26 season. Cunningham’s status as a leading guard in the NBA underscores Detroit’s potential as a rising contender in the league.
Ranking Among the NBA’s Elite Guards
Assessing NBA guards is a challenging task, but Frank Urbina recently ranked the best players at this position in a feature for Hoops Hype published on August 4. Urbina placed Cade Cunningham among the top guards in the league, ranking him fourth overall. Only Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks were rated higher.
Cunningham’s salary for the upcoming 2025-26 season is $46,394,100, ranking 16th in the NBA, reflecting his high value to the Pistons.
The point guard position is one of the most loaded in the NBA today, featuring various MVP vote-getters, as well as the outright MVP winner for 2024-25, who fared quite well in this exercise,
Urbina remarked.
Cunningham just enjoyed easily the best season of his career, leading Detroit to a 44-38 regular season and to within two games of the second round of the playoffs, no small accomplishment considering how abysmal the team was just a few years ago,
Urbina added.
If Cunningham is able to make a similarly sized leap in 2025-26 as he has over the past couple of seasons, he could be a 30-point, 10-assist per game player next campaign, a scary proposition for Detroit’s foes over the coming years.
Exploring Cade Cunningham’s Exceptional Skill Set
Cunningham’s performance last season stood out due to his impressive overall numbers and versatility. Urbina highlighted that Cunningham was one of only two players to average 26 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists, joining Nikola Jokic in this rare feat. This statistical achievement cements his status as an All-NBA-level player.
And with the leap we expect him to make in ’26, he could be a first-time 1st Team All-NBAer when it’s all said and done,
Urbina stated.
That’s the type of talent Cunningham has, thanks to his tough shot-making from all three levels, his ability to finish around the basket, his off-the-dribble pull-up shooting and his somehow underrated playmaking.
Those who closely follow the Detroit Pistons are excited by Cunningham’s rapid rise and confidence in his continuing development. His skillful shot-making, combined with leadership on the court, gives the Motor City hope for a breakthrough season ahead.
Looking Ahead to a Landmark Future with Cade Cunningham
With Cade Cunningham emerging as a true NBA rising star, the Detroit Pistons are positioning themselves for sustained success. The team’s 2024-25 playoff achievement was a historic milestone after years of struggles, and this momentum, led by Cunningham and supported by Coach J.B. Bickerstaff, sets a promising foundation for coming seasons.
If Cunningham continues on his current trajectory, Detroit’s opponents will face a formidable guard capable of dominating games with scoring, assists, and clutch plays. The 2025-26 campaign could be the start of a new era for the Pistons, elevating the franchise back into serious championship contention.