Cade Cunningham’s usage rate went down last season and that’s one trend the Detroit Pistons hope continues next season.
In the 2024-25 season, Cunningham’s usage rate was 33.2 percent, one of the highest in the NBA, but that dipped slightly to 30.5 percent last season, which was 9th in the league overall, and Cunningham saw better results.
Not only did his numbers go up, but he seemed to have more gas in the playoffs, which was a concern, especially after he had to miss time with a collapsed lung.
His usage rate did spike back up to nearly 33 percent in the playoffs last season, which was not an advantage for the Pistons, as it made the them far too predictable and it was too easy to just throw everything at Cade.
The Pistons didn’t add a real creator this offseason but will have to find ways to cut Cade’s usage rate to get more out of him for less.
Cade Cunningham’s catch-and-shoot, saving his legs and how the Pistons do it
It’s clear the Pistons need someone else to take some of the burden off Cunningham, and even though they didn’t add much creation outside of unproven rookie Ebuka Okorie, Detroit does have some internal candidates.
Both Ausar Thompson and Daniss Jenkins need to initiate more of the offense next season, so that Cunningham doesn’t have to do it all from scratch every possession. Getting some penetration from Thompson or Jenkins will allow Cunningham to get the ball with the defense in motion, which should make it easier for him to attack.
He also showed in the playoffs that he can be devastating off the ball as a catch-and-shoot option, as he hit over 48 percent of his 3-point shots in those situations in the playoffs. It’s a small sample size, but he did attempt 41 of them, and it’s something we need to see more of next season.
JB Bickerstaff did make this adjustment later in the playoffs with Thompson and Jenkins bringing the ball up to at least keep Cunningham from having to exert so much energy just to get across half court.
But it needs to be more than just bringing it up, these guys have to force defenses to adjust and get Cunningham the ball in more fortuitous positions against defenses that are already moving.
Cunningham can meet or even increase his numbers without having the ball in his hands so much, which will in turn save some legs for when the Pistons need him most, which is at the end of games and in the postseason.
If the Pistons can reduce Cade’s usage while keeping his scoring numbers up, they will be much more difficult to defend and will save some wear and tear on their superstar.
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