One of the biggest questions hanging over the Detroit Pistons before the season started was whether Cade Cunningham was going to evolve into a true franchise player.
We’d seen signs of it in the past, but injuries, inconsistent play and a terrible supporting cast did leave a cloud over Cade Cunningham’s early career.
He’s answered those questions this season. With a better team around him, Cunningham is looking like a star with averages not far off a triple double and currently 3rd in the NBA in assists per game.
With his team already equaling last year’s win total, there is plenty of All-Star buzz around Cunningham and this should be the first season he’s selected for the team.
It’s far too early in the season to worry about individual awards, but a recent injury to Luka Doncic has changed the All-NBA landscape, which could cost the Pistons millions.
Could Luka Doncic’s injury put Cade Cunningham on an All-NBA team?
Doncic suffered a calf injury on Christmas Day that will have him out for at least a month. Right now, he’d be a lock for the All-NBA team and likely finish in the top-5 in MVP voting again.
He’s only going to be re-evaluated in a month, so it’s likely he’ll be out longer, which could be enough to cost him a shot at All-NBA, as players have to play in at least 65 games to be eligible.
This could potentially open a spot on the All-NBA team for a guy like Cunningham, though it’s still a longshot with tough competition at the guard spot in both conferences.
Cunningham still hasn’t won anything and will likely have to do this for at least a whole season before getting consideration, and this one is far from over.
It would be nice for Cunningham to finish the season strong and make a case for himself, but if he does make the All-NBA team, it will be costly to the Pistons.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski (come back, Woj!) back in July:
“Cunningham -- the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft -- can elevate the deal to 30% of the team's salary cap with the earning of All-NBA honors next season, sources said.”
Inclusion on the All-NBA team could bump his salary up to 30 percent of the cap, around a five percent increase from where he is set to be next season.
Doncic’s injury has opened the door for this possibility, though as I said, there is still a long way to go and Cade Cunningham has plenty to prove.
But if he plays most of the season (huge knock on wood), has these types of numbers and the Pistons make some noise in the play-in, we could see Cunningham getting a fat raise.