How Can Detroit Pistons’ Cade Cunningham Build On 5th Place MVP Finish?

During the offseason, much of the Detroit Pistons’ activity has been centered around surrounding Cade Cunningham with the proper supporting cast so that he can challenge for championships while in the Motor City. Last year’s second round appearance was deeper in the playoffs than Cunningham had gone with the Pistons in the past, but the All-NBA point guard still has aspirations further along than the Eastern Conference Semifinals. 

Last season, Cunningham finished with 23.9 points, 9.9 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game along with 2.2 stocks each night, so the Pistons chief playmaker was a shoe-in to make the 2026 All-Star squad. Cunningham kept Detroit in first place of the Eastern Conference for practically the entire regular season up until he suffered a collapsed lung right before the playoffs, but the Pistons weathered the storm to keep hold of the top seed. 

Earlier in the year, Cunningham suffered a wrist injury that seemed to impact his long-range shooting at times, but the Oklahoma State product improved his perimeter consistency when it mattered most for the Pistons with a 40.2% from beyond the arc in the postseason. Throughout the playoffs, both the Orlando Magic and the Cleveland Cavaliers challenged Detroit to shoot from the outside, but it seemed as if only Cunningham and Duncan Robinson were able to punish the opposition from that range. 

Now that the expectations have risen for the Pistons over the last 12 months, it will be more difficult for Cunningham to win the Most Valuable Player award since Detroit won’t sneak up on anyone this year. But in terms of adding to his resume, the soon-to-be sixth-year pro could focus his effort on the defensive side of the court to become an even more balanced two-way threat. 

With Ausar Thompson on the perimeter, the Pistons have the luxury of starting the league’s premier point-of-attack defender on the wing each night. Since Thompson guards a lot of players who initiate offense, Cunningham can flex to the two or three given his size and strength. And after racking up a healthy amount of stocks last season, Cunningham has the timing and defensive instincts required to give opposing teams fits either on the outside or in the paint. 

Though Cunningham is normally lauded for his offensive playmaking ability, the Pistons have defensive versatility in the sense that both he and Thompson can switch assignments at any time, which leads to mismatches that often favor Detroit. As a whole, the Pistons will have to focus a bit more on defensive rigidity without Isaiah Stewart patrolling the paint down low, so this would be a good time for Cunningham to prioritize that portion of his game ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. 

After finishing in the top five for defensive rating last season, the Pistons still have all the necessary pieces to field another physical, punishing defensive squad even without Beef Stew, but it will require a team-wide concerted effort that starts right at the top with Cunningham and Thompson setting a suffocating tone.