The Detroit Pistons have the best record in the Eastern Conference and the second-best record in the NBA. Yet, a burning question has hovered over MVP candidate Cade Cunningham throughout the 2025-26 season—and it's grown louder than ever before.
The Pistons' rugged defense, balanced rotation, and superstar scorer and playmaker give them a shot against anyone, but can they establish a true second shot creator before it's too late?
Detroit's lack of ideal depth in the shot creation department was on full display against the San Antonio Spurs on Feb. 23. The 41-16 Spurs went into Detroit and defeated the 42-14 Pistons in a potential NBA Finals preview, winning 114-103.
That would've offered reason enough for Detroit to evaluate what needs to be changed, but it was Cunningham shooting 5-of-26 that sparks a different kind of fire.
Poor shooting nights are going to happen, but five Pistons attempted at least 10 shots and only Jalen Duren shot above 38.6 percent from the field. The Spurs, meanwhile, received 61 points on 23-of-42 shooting between Stephon Castle, Julian Champagnie, and Devin Vassell on a night when De'Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama shot a combined 10-of-29.
It was Exhibit A of how the Pistons still trail behind the NBA's top contenders in a critical area: Creating offense when their superstar isn't in their finest form.
Pistons still don't have reliable shot creators after Cade Cunningham
Detroit ranks No. 10 in the NBA in offensive rating, which displays a clear ability to put points on the board. It's even No. 7 in field goal percentage, No. 3 in free throw attempts per game, and a respectable No. 12 in assists per contest.
Cunningham is creating 50.4 points per game, however, and Jalen Duren is the only other player over 20.0—and just 4.3 are the result of assists.
Furthermore, Cunningham and Duren are the only two players on the roster averaging at least 1.00 points per isolation possession. Cunningham at 16.3 is also the only Piston averaging more than 5.8 drives per game—and the next four leading players are shooting 44.4 percent or worse on drives.
Perhaps worst of all: Cunningham at 9.8 is the only player on Detroit's roster averaging more than 3.1 assists per game.
Whether it's a matter of creating one's own offense or generating looks for others, Cunningham is effectively on an island. Duren shows flashes of brilliance and is a vastly improved scorer, but initiating from the perimeter is effectively Cunningham or bust.
If the Pistons hope to have a realistic shot at winning a championship, then they must figure out how to ensure that offense can be efficiently generated on nights when Cunningham isn't at his best.