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New York Times

Cade Cunningham's strengths and weaknesses: Detroit Pistons player evaluations

Cade Cunningham is roughly a month and a half removed from his best professional season. He posted career-high numbers across the board in 2024-25, was an All-Star, made an All-NBA team and had 10 total triple-doubles, including the postseason. Behind the accolades Cunningham racked up last season was the growth of his game in a multitude of ways. Let's examine what led to this level of production. And, in the name of offseason improvement, let's identify areas of Cunningham's game he can ameliorate. Advertisement • 50-of-84 (59.5 percent) on hook shots • 36-of-73 (49.3 percent) on fadeaway jumpers inside the 3-point line • 17-of-33 (51.5 percent) on non-layup bank shots • 16-of-27 (59.3 percent) on turnaround fadeaways I've written many times about Cunningham's effectiveness in the post and midrange, and these regular-season numbers drive home that point. He's listed at 6-foot-6 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan and takes advantage of size disparities he faces against other guards who are matched up against him. Cade Cunningham jump hook — Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) April 12, 2025 By now, Cunningham and Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff are aware of the advantages when Cunningham operates out of the post. He often forces double-teams, which inevitably frees his teammates up for opportunities to create for themselves and others. When defenses don't converge, Cunningham, as shown above, has a knack for finding ways to score, whether it's hook shots, fadeaways or turnarounds. The more Detroit explores actions with Cunningham as the focal point from the post, the better. Look for Bickerstaff to build on this growing area of effectiveness and comfort for their franchise cornerstone. • 39.2 percent on 2.1 attempts per game Cunningham had his best season shooting from long range on his highest volume. While 35.6 percent overall is respectable for a lead guard, he was even better in catch-and-shoot situations from behind the arc. Catch-and-shoot 3s are more difficult for Cunningham to get a healthy diet of because of his role on this squad. He's usually initiating offense for Detroit, looking to find others in a position to score. Depending on how Jaden Ivey progresses as a playmaker, the Pistons could look to increase the volume of catch-and-shoot looks for Cunningham to see how much more his 3-point shooting can improve. Advertisement • Fifth in blocks per game for guards (0.8) Cunningham has averaged 0.6 blocks per game during his career, so blocking shots isn't a new strength for him. But 53 is his highest total in any season thus far. Cunningham also had a handful of timely, momentum-swinging blocks this season. Cade Cunningham had the game-winning bucket AND the game-winning block in a Pistons win over the Hawks😤 🎥 @SportsCenter — The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) November 9, 2024 While he may not become an All-Defensive team-level defender, he's becoming a formidable player on that side of the ball, particularly getting chase-down blocks or blocks from the weak side. Cunningham has the physical tools to be a successful defender beyond blocking shots, which we'll get to briefly. Of Cunningham's career-best 9.1 assists per game last season, 2.0 came by way of his big man, Jalen Duren. As a result, Cunningham dished a total of 129 assists to Duren. And as flashy as the lobs between the two can be, they seem to generate real jolts of energy for Detroit. Apart from the lobs, Cunningham and Duren have developed chemistry in pick-and-roll situations in general. Duren even began setting what have become known as 'Gortat screens' (in honor of Marcin Gortat) for Cunningham in the lane as the season progressed. The duo can, and likely will, continue exploring the limits of Duren's scoring capability, especially in these actions, moving forward. Duren took 546 field-goal attempts last regular season, with 478 coming less than five feet from the rim. Although it's a small sample size relative to his attempts within five feet, Duren was an efficient 32-of-65 between five and nine feet from the rim. Maybe next season, the Pistons can add a more consistent wrinkle in their offense for Cunningham to seek Duren out just a bit further from the rim to keep defenders honest. Advertisement • Second in the NBA in turnovers (4.4 average per game) behind only Trae Young It's no secret Cunningham must cut down on his turnovers. Although turnovers are inevitable, to a certain extent, because he's a lead guard, Cunningham turned the ball over too much last season. A decent portion of Cunningham's turnovers came as a result of his carelessness rather than defensive pressure. Still, he had a little more than a 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. His assists can become even more valuable next season if they aren't being compromised by turnovers and the potential points they can lead to for opposing teams. The more Cunningham continues to tighten his handle and limit his turnovers, the easier life becomes for himself as a scorer and his teammates as he looks to create for them. • Defensive rating: 112.2 While Cunningham's defensive rating was the lowest it's been in his career, he has the physical tools to be a better, more consistent on-ball defender. He's showcased his ability to meet taller opposing players at the summit for blocks. Now, it's time for him to take that next step as a perimeter defender. Cunningham has showcased stretches of playing inspired on-ball defense, but he's yet to do so consistently. His footspeed and lateral quickness don't stand out in a league full of elite athletes, but with his size and athleticism, there's no reason he can't become a better defender overall. From being a better point-of-attack defender to fighting over screens, there's room for Cunningham to improve as an overall defender.