With the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, the Detroit Pistons selected Cade Cunningham, who, in the short span of five seasons, has become one of the league’s elite players. While it is safe to assume that Cunningham’s destiny has effectively been tied to Detroit, the 24-year-old recalled a time when he was uncertain of where he would eventually land.
While speaking with Kevin Durant on “Boardroom“, Cade Cunningham addressed how he didn’t have a particular team that he had a preference for, though he specified that he did not want to join the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“Whenever the lottery was happening, and it started cutting down… It’s the final three. It’s Cleveland, Houston, and Detroit. I’m like, ‘Don’t let me go to Cleveland,'” he said, much to Durant’s amusement.
Cunningham continued by justifying his preference for Detroit, noting the iconic jersey colors along with the team’s history, which features legendary players such as Isiah Thomas. “I was a big Bron fan growing up, you know what I’m saying?” he added. “But I’m not trying to go to Cleveland, bro.”
He continued by ruling out Houston, saying, “I’m from Arlington. Houston’s four hours down the road. But in my head, I’m like, ‘That might get tricky.'”
Given Cade Cunningham’s alma mater being Oklahoma State, he added, “People don’t want to go to Stillwater; people want to go to Houston. It was just different, and I could feel it even beforehand; everybody’s like, ‘Houston, Houston, Houston.’ Something about me was just like… You know?”
Durant noted that getting away from one’s roots helps with “locking in” and focusing on the game, something that has evidently worked for Cunningham. With Detroit benefiting greatly from his development, they appear to be a formidable unit this season.
Cade Cunningham Has Transformed The Pistons
Cade Cunningham’s commitment to the Detroit Pistons has been nothing short of inspiring.
After facing the lowest of lows with the team, including a season with a 27-game losing streak, the Pistons have completely turned things around. On a league-best 11-game winning streak to start the 2025-26 season, featuring a 13-2 record, the Detroit Pistons are the top team in the Eastern Conference.
In many ways, this resurgence has been long overdue for such a storied franchise. Given the rich history of the Pistons’ franchise in the NBA, having a superstar like Cade Cunningham instill the city with a sense of pride again is touching.
At the current juncture, Detroit seems to be the team to beat in the East. While Cunningham’s individual brilliance continues to spur them forward, with averages of 27.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 9.9 assists per game, the contributions of Jalen Duren, Ausar Thompson, and the rest of the team’s young core have been noteworthy.
Coming off their latest 120-112 win against the Atlanta Hawks, the Pistons seem primed to retain their position at the top of the East. Heading into their next game against the Milwaukee Bucks, who are fielding a lineup without Giannis Antetokounmpo, Detroit could find itself in a position to extend its winning streak on Saturday, Nov. 22.
