Detroit Pistons: When will Cade Cunningham be back?

The Detroit Pistons’ season was pretty much over back in November when Cade Cunningham went out with a shin injury.

The team wasn’t likely to be good anyway, but losing its best player not only ensured they would be bad, but that the team’s development would be stunted, as he’s the guy they are building around.

Cade Cunningham only played 12 games, so it was a lost season for him and the team that is like an idling car without him at the wheel.

Cunningham has stayed upbeat and been a positive influence on the team’s bench, so to his credit, he is making the most of a bad situation.

This shin had apparently been bothering him since high school, so fans should be excited that he should finally be healthy and playing at 100 percent when he returns.

But when is that going to be?

Detroit Pistons: When will Cade Cunningham be back?

The bad news is that Cade Cunningham obviously will not be returning this season, a determination that was made as soon as he had the surgery.

It would have been nice for him to be able to return to at least start to build some chemistry with Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren, but we are going to have to wait six months to see Cade back in the lineup, with what could be a much-different group of teammates depending on what happens this offseason.

The good news is that Cade has already been cleared for full offseason activities, so is expected to resume his normal offseason schedule as soon as the season is over.

This will undoubtedly include more weight training (he already looks bigger) and rehab to ensure that leg and the rest of him are healthy going into next season. He’s not likely to play in Summer League, but should be ready to go for offseason workouts, scrimmages and eventually training camp.

Unfortunately more patience will be required, but Cunningham should be ready to go next season and will hopefully be part of a roster that is built to win.