The Detroit Pistons continue their climb up the Eastern Conference with a 107-98 win over the Houston Rockets on MLK Day. Star point guard Cade Cunningham put his talent on display in his final game before All-Star voting is closed.
Cunningham dribbled through the Rockets and dunked on an open-court play, including getting past standout defender Amen Thompson. After converting on that dunk, the former No. 1 overall pick let them know exactly how he felt.
“On all y’all motherf***ers.”
“ON ALL Y’ALL MOTHERF*CKAS”
– Cade Cunningham 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/emc2uSjmEE
— BricksCenter (@BricksCenter) January 20, 2025
Cunningham scored a game-high 32 points (12-22 FG), grabbed nine rebounds, and provided seven assists in the Pistons’ win over the contending Rockets, solidifying their Status as a Playoff-caliber team this season.
They’re 22-21 on the season, just half a game behind the No. 6 seed in the East for an automatic Playoff spot. This is a remarkable turnaround for the franchise that last season set the record for the longest losing streak in NBA history.
Cunningham is the driving force behind the Pistons’ turnaround. He’s averaging 24.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 9.3 assists this season, with many believing he’s earned an All-Star nomination this season.
I agree, as Cade has proven he’s an All-Star caliber guard in the East. If someone like LaMelo Ball makes it over Cade, it would be a travesty given Cunningham’s winning impact this season.
The 23-year-old is developing as one of the best two-way guards in the NBA. His fiery character on the court serves to motivate his teammates. Detroit did right by him when they added Playoff veterans like Tobias Harris and Tim Hardaway Jr. to the roster over the summer, as the Pistons are thriving with their young core being led by intelligent veterans who let them shine,
Time For A Win-Now Move?
The Pistons were expected to be a team that’ll look to take additional salary in the winter to reach the salary floor and gain future assets. However, nobody predicted them to be as competitive as they have been, so it seems like the team could consolidate their space and assets by getting a win-now player to put beside Cunningham.
The team’s second-leading scorer, Jaden Ivey, will not return to the court this season after suffering a broken fibula. Therefore, the Pistons are uniquely equipped to take on a half-season win-now rental to ensure the team returns to the Playoffs for the first time since 2019.
They could be a credible third team in a Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat trade for Jimmy Butler, potentially being open to acquiring the remaining three seasons on Bradley Beal’s contract to have an isolation-scoring option beside Cade and someone who could play in tandem with Ivey once he returns. We’ve discussed this scenario in a mock trade as well.
There are more candidates, such as Chicago Bulls‘ Zach LaVine, whom the Pistons have expressed an interest in in the past. Due to his size and athleticism, he might be a better fit than Beal as a younger and more dynamic offensive threat. He’s averaging 23.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.6 assists, so he might be their best win-now option.
These trades likely won’t lead to major asset loss given their status as bad contracts in the NBA, so the Pistons should consider a major short-term move that helps them unwind the bad basketball the franchise has played over the last five years.
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