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5x NBA All-Star Linked With Pistons Star in Exclusive Stat Company

Cade Cunningham could potentially join Luka Doncic and two greats in an exclusive statistical company.
Justin Grasso|
Nov 18, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) controls the ball against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images
Nov 18, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) controls the ball against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images | David Reginek-Imagn Images

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While there is a lot of basketball left to be played for the Detroit Pistons, the team’s franchise star, Cade Cunningham, is off to a hot start, putting him in exclusive statistical company through his first 16 games of the 2024-2025 NBA season.

According to Stathead, just four players in NBA history averaged over 20 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds before they turned 25 years old.

Right now, Cunningham is just one of those players. If he keeps up the same statistical pace through the end of the year, he’ll remain in exclusive company in the NBA history book, alongside two greats in Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson, and the active five-time All-Star, Luka Doncic.

Through 16 games, Cunningham has produced 23 points per game on 45 percent shooting from the field. He’s currently on pace to have his best shooting season from beyond the arc, knocking down 37 percent of his threes on six attempts per game.

Along with his scoring, Cunningham has averaged nine assists and seven rebounds. The young veteran is churning out triple-doubles more than he has in his first three seasons in the league.

It’s no secret the Pistons slightly upgraded their roster over the offseason to cater to Cunningham’s needs as a playmaker, but the 23-year-old former first-overall pick certainly deserves credit for his personal growth as well.

Last season, Cunningham averaged over 20 points and six assists for the first time in his career. His progress was typically overshadowed by the Pistons’ overall struggles. As they achieved an NBA-worst 14-68 record in 2023-2024, Cunningham struggled to receive credit for his personal campaign.

This year, the Pistons started the year 7-9. As they’ve become a handful for contending teams on any given night, Cunningham is earning tons of respect at this point.

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Justin Grasso was a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s 76ers On SI Network. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoMedia

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