5 Rapidly emerging stars who will be first-time All-Stars in 2025

Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons

Yes, the Detroit Pistons have been considered the 'laughing stock' of the league for quite some time. Since drafting Cade Cunningham first overall in 2021, Detroit has been decimated by terrible lottery luck, finishing with the fifth pick three straight years in a row. Each of the last two seasons, Detroit finished with the worst record in the league, only to miserably lose out on the first overall pick.

Cade Cunningham, the Pistons most recent first overall pick, has been nearly everything the organization was hoping for when they drafted him in 2022. Through three seasons, Cunningham has improved each season. Finishing third in Rookie of the Year voting in 2021-22, the Pistons guard averaged 17 points, six rebounds, six assists, and over a steal per game, In doing so, Cunningham shot 42 percent, 31 percent, and 85 percent.

An abbreviated 2022-23 season (shin surgery) limited Cunningham to just 12 games. In those outings, Cunningham averaged 20 points, six rebounds, six assists, but shot 42 percent, 28 percent from three, and 84 percent on free throws. Despite the injury and questions surrounding the team, Cunningham averaged 23 points, four rebounds, and eight assists in 62 games. His efficiency improved significantly, shooting 45 percent, 36 percent from three, and 87 percent on free throws.

If the Pistons want to begin the long climb up the Eastern Conference standings, they will need another jump in production from their franchise point guard. Cunningham's next jump may very well garner All-Star consideration, especially if Detroit is competitive and vying for a play-in spot.