Saturday night time’s match in opposition to Toronto Raptors was one other alternative for Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham to place collectively one other optimistic argument for his 2025 NBA All-Star marketing campaign.
As soon as once more, he’s about to perform his mission.
Cunningham made franchise historical past Saturday night time in opposition to Toronto. Towards the North crew, Cunningham produced 22 factors, 17 assists and 10 rebounds. He notched his seventh triple-double of the 12 months, shifting nearer to Los Angeles Lakers ahead LeBron James.
The star guard’s stat line in opposition to the Raptors was the third time Cunningham notched a triple-double with no less than 15 assists. For the Pistons, it is a new franchise document. Cunningham surpassed franchise legend Isiah Thomas on this class.
It was Cunningham’s third profession triple-double with no less than 15 assists, passing Isiah Thomas for essentially the most in franchise historical past.
Cunningham represents three of seven such video games in franchise historical past, all of which passed off this season (12/7 @ NYK, 12/16 vs. MIA). https://t.co/kq8BnYhmZa
– Pistons PR (@Pistons_PR) January 12, 2025
Cunningham’s contributions helped the Pistons earn one other victory in opposition to the Raptors this 12 months. Though the sport was just a little too shut for consolation at occasions, Detroit pulled away in essential moments. They despatched the Raptors residence with a 123-114 loss.
The Pistons improved to 20-19 this season. As soon as once more, they exceed .500 for the second time this month. Detroit will get 20 wins for the primary time since 2021-22.
Nameless Executives Talk about Cunningham
Earlier this week, two NBA Insiders from ESPN overview a number of the key storylines surrounding particular gamers throughout the league. Cunningham’s latest rise has put him within the dialogue.
In accordance with Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst, an nameless NBA common supervisor revealed that there have been “fairly a number of folks” in senior positions within the league who considered Cunningham’s new contract scenario in Detroit as a “danger.”
To date, GM believes Cunningham has “been very sturdy.”
As for an additional government, he talked about that Cunningham “hasn’t made the most important soar,” however added that the development is “perhaps one of many greatest” within the league.
The primary max deal for many gamers is mostly thought of a serious guess by the lots. The scenario was no completely different for Cunningham over the summer season.
Breaking: Cade Cunningham agreed to a five-year, $224 million most rookie contract extension that may very well be value as a lot as $269 million, in keeping with his brokers. @wojespn. pic.twitter.com/34ZveiBAqC
–ESPN (@espn) July 9, 2024
It was an comprehensible response, contemplating the Pistons hadn’t completed something of be aware within the three seasons Cunningham performed for them. Moreover, Cunningham had well being points with him, as he appeared in fewer than 65 video games in every of his first three NBA seasons.
In 2023-24, Cunningham has taken a pleasant leap ahead, averaging over 20 factors per sport for the primary time in his profession. He improved his three-point proportion from 31 p.c to 36 p.c, and he averaged two extra assists per sport.
With the 2024-2025 NBA season nonetheless underway, well being issues stay unresolved. Nonetheless, Cunningham made his thirty fifth look within the first 39 video games. He is averaging 24 factors on 38 p.c taking pictures from three and allotting 9 assists per sport.
So long as Cunningham maintains his present stage of play, he’ll show the doubters improper for the primary season after signing. Quickly, the five-year, $224 million deal will go into impact.
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