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Detroit Pistons' Cade Cunningham Appears on NBA MVP Ranks

Cade Cunningham has landed on the NBA's MVP Ladder once again.
Justin Grasso|
Feb 5, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) moves the ball up court on Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) during the first half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images
Feb 5, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) moves the ball up court on Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) during the first half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images | David Reginek-Imagn Images

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Detroit Pistons

At last, the Detroit Pistons have an All-Star. Perhaps, they have a future MVP candidate on their hands as well in the former No. 1 overall pick, Cade Cunningham.

As Cunningham’s first All-Star season progresses past the break, the veteran guard recently earned a mention on the NBA’s MVP Ladder. While it’s not the first time Cunningham poked his head into the picture, he recently re-entered it after finding himself out of the top ten.

According to NBA.com’s MVP ranks, Cunningham is ninth, right behind New York Knicks star Karl Anthony Towns and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell.

Cunningham’s chances of shooting up to the top three are slim this season, but his presence on the list this late in the year is a great sign for Detroit’s franchise player.

Just last summer, the Pistons invested a ton into Cunningham by signing him to a max extension. At the time, Cunningham showed shades of being a dominant player, but there were concerns such as health and the fact that he hadn’t played meaningful basketball up until the 2024-2025 season.

This year, the Pistons haven’t had too much to worry about. Cunningham has been healthy for most of the year, earned his first All-Star nod, could land All-NBA consideration, and is often a favorite for the league’s Most Improved Player award.

Leading up to Saturday’s action against the Brooklyn Nets, Cunningham posted averages of 25 points, nine assists, and six rebounds while shooting 36 percent from three in 55 games.

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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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