Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic has now missed two games after suffering a knee injury on December 29th, and he may be on track to miss out on prestigious honors. With the NBA's strict rules on games played and minutes to qualify for awards, Jokic's injury could leave him off the ballots. In his absence, the Pistons' Cade Cunningham can solidify himself in All-NBA and MVP discussions.
Cade Cunningham could reach First Team All-NBA
The Pistons have already gotten their first taste of individual awards this season and they're hungry for more. Cade is logically the most likely to receive a major honor such as MVP votes and another All-NBA selection. He's performing at an extremely high level this season, averaging 26.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 9.7 assists per game.
Given the Pistons' incredible trajectory, a top finish in the East can elevate Cade in individual accolades. Last season, he earned his first All-Star and All-NBA (Third Team) selections. This season, he has improved in every facet of his game and his team has dominated the East.
Award voters will inevitably give Cade more respect than last season, but injuries to other superstars may have him placing even higher than expected. Jokic's injury is expected to keep him out at least a month, with possible additional time to ramp up. This could make him entirely ineligible for any awards or All-NBA selections.
He is just the latest star to miss extended time, joining the Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo (14 games missed so far) and the Celtics' Jayson Tatum (out for the entire season so far). All three are perennial All-NBA players, and have been selected for that honor in each of the last 4 seasons. Their potential absence opens a void for the league's younger stars to fill.
On top of an All-NBA selection to a higher team, Cade Cunningham could have his eyes set on some MVP consideration. He's unlikely to win the award outright considering Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's impressive season and the Thunder's historic winning percentage. But Cade can still earn himself some buzz in the MVP ballots.
If Cade keeps up his individual production and propels the Pistons to more wins, he could definitely be a top-5 MVP vote getter. If Jokic and Giannis end up ineligible due to missed games, Cade can even sneak into the top 3. Notably, no Piston has ever won the award and the highest finish until now has been third - accomplished by Dave Bing in 1971 and Bob Lanier in 1974.
Reaching that level of league-wide accomplishment would be a historic milestone for Cade and the Pistons organization. With the status of other superstars in question, it seems more attainable than ever before.