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Detroit Pistons Owner Makes Cade Cunningham Statement

Tom Gores spoke about Cade Cunningham on Monday night in LA.
Justin Grasso|
Nov 4, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) dribbles defended by Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) in the second half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Nov 4, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) dribbles defended by Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) in the second half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

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Detroit PistonsLos Angeles Lakers

Monday night felt like a good time for Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores to speak about his team. According to The Athletic’s Hunter Patterson, Gores spoke with reporters as his team worked on putting away the Los Angeles Lakers for the second time this season.

Not only did the Pistons pick up their second-straight win out West, but the veteran guard Cade Cunningham was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the first time in his career.

Surprising? Not necessarily.

“I think that’s amazing—I am not surprised about Cade’s development at all,” Gores told reporters.

“Cade has basically always been this person and has this ability to step up above everything else. Even though most people are watching and, of course, acknowledging Cade’s success, I’m not surprised at all. He’s that guy.”

The Pistons invested a lot in Cunningham from the jump. When the star guard was entering the 2021 NBA Draft out of Oklahoma State, the Pistons spent their No. 1 overall pick on Cunningham.

While injuries affected his progress early on, his third season showed Gores and the new Detroit front office enough to make Cunningham a max contract offer.

Next season, Cunningham is estimated to make nearly $40 million. He looks like he’s worth every dollar throughout the first stretch of the 2024-2025 NBA season.

Not only is Cunningham having a career year, which could translate to having an All-Star appearance, but he’s leading the Pistons to a much more successful outcome compared to years past.

“Our young men are performing well,” Gores added. “They’re really stepping up to what Pistons basketball is about. We’re watching all of our young men. Cade is just evolving into the leader he’s always been. So I’m very proud of that.”

In 26 games, Cunningham has averaged 24 points, seven rebounds, and ten assists. He’s shooting the ball at a 45 percent clip from the field and 37 percent from three. The Pistons are one win away from tying last year’s total.

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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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