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NBA Rookie Ladder Week 3: A new name enters the fray

By Corey Rausch

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 02: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons looks on in the first half while playing the Milwaukee Bucks at Little Caesars Arena on November 02, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 02: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons looks on in the first half while playing the Milwaukee Bucks at Little Caesars Arena on November 02, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons plays against the Philadelphia 76ers; NBA (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Welcome back to the weekly rookie ladder update! Each week this season we will look at the race for the top five slots on the Rookie of the Year ballot, cutting the recording period every Sunday.

Now that every team is getting closer to playing 10 games so far this season, some of the trends we have seen early are starting to solidify. It is week three of the rookie ladder for the 2021 draft class. Now that the rookies are starting their first full month, where do they stand?

Week 3 NBA Rookie Ladder: 5. Cade Cunningham

player. 64. . . Previous: . Cade Cunningham. 5

10.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists

Shooting splits: .232/.143/.929

Part of this is the bias because, as anyone who follows my work knows, I am a Detroit Pistons fan. Bias aside, the game just looks different when Cade Cunningham is on the court.

He is already an able defender and teams immediately had to bring double-teams to him on offense. His shooting touch needs to improve as a whole, but the shot looks good.

Right now, they just are not falling. But he makes the Detroit Pistons, a terrible offensive team, look competent with his passing. He even showed up in the moment when going up against Kevin Durant.

Keep an eye on Cunningham’s slate of games this week, as the impact on the rookie ladder could be telling. After facing one of the league’s toughest slates to start his career, Cunningham will face the rest of the top four in the draft in consecutive games this week. Each night will be a marquee matchup for fans of blossoming prospects.