The Detroit Pistons are one of the league’s great franchises, with three NBA championships and countless other achievements. They’ve had a parade of great players come through over the last 50+ years, with 10 of them sticking around long enough and playing well enough to have their numbers hung from the rafters. But for all the great teams and great individual players, how many great duos have the Detroit Pistons had? And who? Buckle up. Another Top 10 is here Pistons fans.
10 best duos in Detroit Pistons’ history
#10: Cade Cunningham & Jaden Ivey
This is for sure the toughest case to make, and there are a few of them on this list.
Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey have played fewer than 20 games together. In fact, they have only played 11 games together, going 3-8. Pretty much the smallest sample size in history involving any argument about historically great duos, right? Well…..pretty obviously this is the one for which I will allow myself some projection. The rules are bent here because I think they need to be included.
There is a very real chance that Jaden Ivey is traded before too long. Cade Cunningham is here to stay. Him getting dealt is never happening, but if the Pistons do end up with the #2 pick ie, Scoot Henderson, Ivey could very well get moved. But aside from that one scenario, I don’t see anything ahead but greatness for Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey.
They are truly perfect complements for one another. Cunningham is taller, longer, and plays at his own speed much in the same vein of Luka Doncic. Ivey is Russell Westbrook-like, using his athleticism to his advantage in every facet of the game. While the Westbrook comparison may make some cringe, Ivey is a different person. He’s a kid who let the tears stream down his face when it was announced that he was being drafted by the Detroit Pistons. And that, in part, is what makes this chapter in Pistons history so exciting – and the Cunningham/Ivey duo already so important. This town blew its stack when the Pistons won the draft lottery in 2021 – and with it, the right to draft Cunningham. Seeing Cade embrace the city of Detroit with a big smile and a pair of shades, then seeing Ivey sob with joy at the chance to be a Piston was incredible to witness.
So long as they remain in Detroit together for at least another 5 years, they will climb this list rapidly.