All Pistons

LA Clippers Coach Makes Major Cade Cunningham Statement

Ty Lue makes a big statement regarding Cade Cunningham.
Justin Grasso|
Feb 3, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) is defended by Atlanta Hawks guard Vit Krejci (27) in the first half against the Atlanta Hawks at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Feb 3, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) is defended by Atlanta Hawks guard Vit Krejci (27) in the first half against the Atlanta Hawks at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

In this story:

Detroit PistonsLos Angeles Clippers

Cade Cunningham is gaining notable recognition across the league. With the Detroit Pistons finally making a playoff push for the first time in years, it’s hard for Cunningham’s success to go unnoticed these days.

Heading into a Monday night matchup against the Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers head coach Ty Lue sent some major praise Cunningham’s way. Not only did Lue become another NBA figure to mention Cunningham in the same breath as Luka Doncic, but he also name-dropped his 11-time All-Star guard James Harden.

“What third or fourth year in the league? He’s only gonna get better,” Lue told reporters regarding Cunningham before Monday’s action in Detroit.

“He can take that step and be the next James Harden, you know Luka. He plays at the pace that Luka plays at right now, at a younger age. He never gets sped up.”

This season, Cunningham earned his first All-Star nod. Prior to the break, he was averaging 25 points, six rebounds, and nine assists while shooting 46 percent from the field and 35 percent from deep.

Since returning from the break, the Pistons had two road matchups, with one in San Antonio and the other in Atlanta. Against the Atlanta Hawks, Cunningham put up 25 points on 67 percent shooting from the field. He notched the double-double with 12 assists.

On Sunday night in Atlanta, Cunningham secured another double-double with 38 points and 12 assists. He notched his career-high in threes made in a single game by hitting on 7-10 shots from beyond the arc.

Unlike Luka and Harden, Cunningham doesn’t have a loaded resume full of accolades just yet. However, the fact that he’s getting comparisons to such superstars in the NBA proves the Pistons made the right decision to invest a ton into the former top pick.

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