Cade Cunningham could lead the Detroit Pistons to the playoffs next year

DETROIT, MICHIGAN – MARCH 31: Saddiq Bey #41 and Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons embrace after their win against the Philadelphia 76ers during the third quarter at Little Caesars Arena on March 31, 2022 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 Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /

The Detroit Pistons were one of the worst teams in the NBA this year. For the second year in a row, they are in position to land a top-five pick in the NBA Draft, which is pretty much right where they want to be.

Cade Cunningham missed a good chunk of the start of the season and when he did make his debut, he struggled a bit out of the gates. But now, he’s in full form and showing people why he was the first-overall pick.

Cade Cunningham could lead the Detroit Pistons to the playoffs next year

He isn’t the only guy playing well in Detroit, though. Since the All-Star break, the Pistons are 10-11, and while that may not seem amazing, considering the fact that they were 13-45 before the break, that’s pretty darn good.

Their offense still needs some work, but since the break, they are a top-ten defense in the NBA. And with Cunningham leading the charge on offense, they already have their franchise point guard.

As mentioned, Cunningham isn’t the only player who has stepped things up a notch. Second-year forward Saddiq Bey dropped a 50-point game and has been averaging 17.3 since the break.

After not getting traded at the deadline, Jerami Grant has also been playing well. He’s averaged nearly 20 points a night on very efficient shooting, trailing only Cunningham in the scoring department.

Marvin Bagley III deserves a shoutout, too. He’s putting up around 15.3 points and 6.8 rebounds a night since the break and looks like a completely new player since getting traded to the Pistons at the deadline. (Sorry, Kings fans.)

That’s all without even mentioning younger guys like Isaiah Stewart, Hamidou Diallo, Killian Hayes, Braxton Key, Isaiah Livers, Jamorko Pickett, and the newly-signed Carsen Edwards, all of whom have shown flashes of potential.

With how well the Pistons are playing already, combined with the fact that Cunningham has averaged 20.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 6.0 assists since the break, they could be a dark horse to make the playoffs next year.

Don’t sleep on Detroit. Cunningham is hungry and ready to take his game to the next level. And he’s not even old enough to drink yet.

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