Cade Cunningham has positioned himself as a frontrunner in the NBA MVP race, leading the Detroit Pistons to the league's best record. His recent performances, including a dominant game against the New York Knicks, highlight his all-around impact. Analysts argue he belongs in the same tier as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic.
Cade Cunningham recently declared himself the NBA's best American player in a GQ magazine feature, drawing attention to his growing MVP candidacy. Entering Friday's games, the Pistons hold a 41-13 record, slightly ahead of the Oklahoma City Thunder for the league's top mark. This turnaround is remarkable given Detroit's recent history: three years ago, they won just 17 games, and two years ago, they managed only 14 amid a record 28-game losing streak. Last season, they tripled their wins, and now they lead the league without major roster additions, largely due to Cunningham's improvement.
In Thursday's victory over the Knicks, Cunningham scored 42 points, dished 13 assists, grabbed eight rebounds, blocked two shots, and stole the ball once, all without All-Star Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart. The Pistons have dominated New York this season, winning all three meetings by a combined 84 points, with Cunningham posting a plus-44 rating over 89 minutes. The Knicks entered the year as Eastern Conference contenders, yet Detroit has outplayed them convincingly.
Statistically, Cunningham is one of only two players—alongside Jokic—averaging at least 23 points and nine assists per game; he leads the NBA with 9.6 assists. His plus-minus stands at 9.1, more than double Jokic's 4.3. As a shooter, he connects on step-back threes at 44%, up to 35% on off-the-dribble attempts from 31% previously, opening driving lanes where he ranks third in points per game. Defensively, he contributes on both ends, unlike some peers.
Rankings reflect his rise: fourth on NBA.com, third in ESPN's poll behind Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic, and third in FanDuel odds at +700. When Cunningham plays, Detroit's offense ranks fourth league-wide; without him, it drops to fourth-worst. While postseason questions linger, his regular-season leadership on the NBA's best team bolsters his case, though he carries a heavier offensive load than stars like Luka Doncic, Jokic, or Gilgeous-Alexander.
