Cade Cunningham is playing like he has a point to prove in this season. The Detroit Pistons guard is having a career year. He’s posting career highs in points per game (24.8), assists per game (9.4), rebounds per game (6.4), field goal percentage (45.2%), and three-point percentage (36.3). Cunningham stands out as one of the Eastern Conference’s most dynamic point guards as a high level scorer, rebounder, and distributor. Only Nikola Jokic and Trae Young have dished out more dimes than the 23-year-old star. But his stats weren’t good enough to earn him a starting nod ahead of the 2025 NBA All-Star Game. There’s a good case for him taking a spot for one of the players who did win out.
The New York Knicks’ Jalen Brunson and Cleveland Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell took hold of the Eastern Conference’s starting backcourt spots. Both players are seen as the leaders of teams with higher placement in the Eastern Conference, but their counting stats don’t quite match up to Cunningham’s. Brunson is averaging one more point per game than Cunningham with slightly better shooting splits while Mitchell only has three-point shooting percentage over Cunningham. Team success is a large factor when you’re not a big-time super star, though.
Cunningham still has a chance to be acknowledged for his major improvement. His odds to win Most Improved Player are -135 at BetMGM and the NBA is set to release its list of All-Star reserves on Thursday, Jan. 30. Seven reserves from each conference will be named to fill out the rosters for a new All-Star game format that will feature three teams. The Pistons are on the rise and Cunningham will be in a position to continue his climb toward the top with continued consistent play in the back half of the season.
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