All Pistons

Cade Cunningham Reveals Next Big Goal After All-Star Experience

What are Cade Cunningham's post-All-Star break goals?
Justin Grasso|
Feb 15, 2025; Oakland, CA, USA; Kenny’s Young Stars guard Cade Cunningham (2) of the Detroit Pistons talks to media members during the NBA All Star-Practice at Oakland Arena. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Feb 15, 2025; Oakland, CA, USA; Kenny’s Young Stars guard Cade Cunningham (2) of the Detroit Pistons talks to media members during the NBA All Star-Practice at Oakland Arena. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

In this story:

Detroit Pistons

Just like that, Cade Cunningham’s first NBA All-Star experience is in the rearview.

It was an eventful weekend for Cunningham, who participated in the 3-Point Contest and the All-Star Tournament, but the fun and games are over. The Detroit Pistons will be back on the floor later this week to continue their 2024-2025 journey in the NBA.

What’s the next big goal for Cunningham and his team?

“Playoffs,” Cunningham told reporters. “One thousand percent. Win a playoff series and all of the other stuff that comes with it. Winning games, get in the playoffs, and win a playoff series.”

Not many around the NBA could imagine the Pistons thinking about the playoffs one year after winning just 14 games, but Cunningham and his slightly revamped roster, along with a new front office and head coach have turned the organization around.

Before the 2024-2025 NBA season tipped off, Detroit’s leadership was honest about the mentality heading into the year. The goal was to get better, but there was no playoffs-or-bust mentality. Even a Play-In appearance would’ve been enough for Detroit, but the goalposts have shifted.

At the All-Star break, Detroit possessed a 29-26 record. They are ranked sixth in the Eastern Conference, just one game behind the Milwaukee Bucks. If the season ended in February, Detroit wouldn’t even need to go through the Play-In to make the postseason.

Making the playoffs would be a huge victory for the Pistons, but Cunningham wants a little more. The young All-Star is hoping to win a seven-game series for the first time in his career come April. The Pistons have 27 more games to prepare themselves for the next phase.

More Pistons on SI

Detroit Pistons Veteran Opens up on Requesting to Not be Traded

Detroit Pistons Make Post-Trade Deadline Roster Move

Dennis Schroder’s Social Media Post After Joining Detroit Pistons

Detroit Pistons Star Cade Cunningham Named to NBA All-Star Event

Former Detroit Pistons Player Included in Marcus Smart Trade

Published
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

Share on XFollow JGrasso_
Home/News