Last season, the Detroit Pistons put the NBA and its fanbase on notice as the team completed a stark 30-win improvement and found themselves embroiled in a playoff push, largely thanks to the careful orchestration and point guard play of star Cade Cunningham. Now, a full offseason removed from that postseason berth, Cunningham and the Pistons are eager to become mainstays in the playoffs– and others are beginning to take notice.

After posting career highs in points, rebounds and assists per game a year ago, Cunningham has shown just how important his presence is to the Pistons, and he’s even cleaned up his game over the offseason to become a more efficient, less turnover-prone player. And with the NBA regular season set to begin next week, others have also taken notice of the fifth-year guard’s value to the Motor City. 

According to NBA.com writer Shaun Powell, Cunningham is one of 10 players who should be monitored for the Kia Most Valuable Player award as the 2025-26 season shakes out. 

Cade Cunningham An MVP Candidate

“With a breakout season freshly behind him, Cunningham now embarks on new adventures and goals, all of which are attainable. Can the Pistons win 50 games and spark a basketball renaissance in Detroit? Can Cunningham improve on the 26.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 9.1 assists per game in 2024-25? Yes and yes.

He’s new to this MVP game, though, and players in his position often find themselves needing some additional proof of authenticity beyond one standout season. Cunningham is certainly capable of shattering that theory, especially if the Pistons pull a surprise and spend a good portion of the season in the East attic.”

As Powell pointed out, the Pistons ability to reach the top half of the Eastern Conference standings will likely play a demonstrative role in whether or not Cunningham finds himself in the MVP conversations.

Pistons Center Jalen Duren Working To Expand Offensive Repertoire The Detroit big man may need to up the offensive ante with Ivey out of the lineup.

However, the Detroit playmaker cannot be ruled out strictly from a wins and losses perspective. Last season, the Pistons finished with the sixth-best record in the East, and Cunningham was still tied for seventh place in the year-end MVP voting. So, while leading a team to a top-tier conference record is not required to contend for the award, it is essentially a given to win the MVP crown.

Right now, Cunningham and the Pistons enter the regular season without the help of guard Jaden Ivey, who was recently shut down for roughly a month after undergoing surgery on his right knee. Ivey was one of Cunningham’s key swingmen at the start of last season before the former went down with a season-ending broken leg. Now playing without Ivey once again, Cunningham will have a clear opportunity to begin making his case for MVP as he operates the Pistons’ offense as the team’s de facto first choice shot-creator. 

The Detroit Pistons will begin the regular season on Wednesday, Oct. 22 against the Chicago Bulls on the road at 8 pm.

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