Cade Cunningham is looking to do what no Detroit player has ever done: win a regular-season MVP.
In the rich history of the Detroit Pistons, which includes a trio of NBA championships and many Hall of Famers who have played for the franchise, there’s the noticeable absence of the trophy that defines player excellence over the course of one season.
That’s the MVP, the game’s most cherished individual award.
Aside from Bob Lanier, Dave Bing and a few others, the most qualified Pistons player to contend for that award was Isiah Thomas, the unrepentant leader of the “Bad Boys”-era Pistons. This 6-foot-1 guard arrived at a franchise in tatters and gradually orchestrated a drastic turnaround.
Thomas’ biggest obstacle was one he couldn’t control — his timing was awful. He played during the era of Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan. Those three combined to win nine MVPs during Thomas’ career (their total was 11, but Thomas retired before Jordan won his last two MVPs).
Curiously, Thomas beat all three at one point or another in the playoffs, an astonishing feat given what those players meant to the championship fortunes of the Lakers, Celtics and Bulls. He was also named Finals MVP in 1990.
But MVP? Nope.
Fast-forward to now, and specifically this week on the Kia Race to the MVP, and here we have another Pistons guard, like Thomas, trying to inject himself into the MVP conversation.
Cade Cunningham’s superb start is the reason for that. He’s on a roll, putting up impressive numbers almost nightly, and so are the Pistons, leading the East during their 11-game win streak. That’s enough to move Cunningham up a spot in the MVP Ladder and into the coveted top-five.
Of course, much like Thomas, Cunningham is keeping stellar company. He’s playing in the era of Nikola Jokić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Dončić — the top three on the Ladder — not to mention Giannis Antetokounmpo and another rising MVP candidate in Victor Wembanyama.
It’s a big ask of Cunningham to leapfrog those contenders. But that’s for the next five months to decide.
Setting the stage this week: Whether the “Baby Jokić” nickname fits or not, Alperen Sengun (No. 9 on the Ladder) will see his same-skillset opponent Friday when MVP Ladder leader Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets visit Houston. They’ve faced each other 10 times; Sengun has outscored him only twice and out-rebounded him once.
The stat to know: Not technically a stat, but for the first time since he joined the Lakers, LeBron James isn’t introduced last in the player introductions. With LeBron’s blessing, that honor now belongs to Luka.
What they are saying: “Hard work takes you places you can’t imagine and gives you opportunities you never could’ve seen … but there’s a lot more work to do.” — Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson, who ranks No. 7 on the latest Ladder.
1. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
Last week’s ranking: No. 1
Season stats: 29.1 points, 13.2 rebounds, 11.1 assists
His case: The triple-doubles and stretches of efficiency dominance continue for Jokić despite playing with a bum left wrist that’s clearly giving him a level of discomfort.
Jokić leads the league in rebounds and assists and is among the scoring leaders. Even more impressive, he has nine triple-doubles in 14 games and the next closest competitor (Josh Giddey) has three triple-doubles. His high-post game and soft touch around the rim remain elite.
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Last week’s ranking: No. 2
Season stats: 32 points, 5.1 rebounds, 6.5 assists
His case: The full-time results on part-time work continue for Gilgeous-Alexander, who has sat out nine fourth quarters over 16 games, yet remains among the league scoring leaders. It reflects his ability to help OKC put games out of reach and put himself on the bench for good after three quarters.
Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging almost a point per minute despite not being a volume 3-point shooter (he makes 2.2 per game). He has scored less than 30 points only three times this season.
3. Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers
Last week’s ranking: No. 4.
Season stats: 34.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, 9 assists
His case: Dončić remains on a production streak that’s either the best regular-season stretch of his career, or close enough. He’s averaging nearly a triple-double, has eight double-doubles, and is leading the league in scoring as the Lakers — despite the return of LeBron James — have given him the keys.
Another notable improvement with Dončić is defense. He has a five-steal game and a pair of four-steal games. The all-around play of Dončić is one reason the Lakers are off to a solid start, with James playing only one game during that time.
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Last week’s ranking: No. 3
Season stats: 31.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, 6.8 assists
His case: He was the league’s fourth-leading scorer, seventh-leading rebounder and was averaging a career high in assists before a low-grade groin strain put him in street clothes. It was a dominant opening month stretch for Giannis, who resembled a one-man demolition crew most nights.
The worthiness of an MVP candidate tends to surface when that player is either resting on the bench or no longer in the lineup, and the team must cope with his absence. It’s a challenging situation for the Bucks, who must navigate without as much as an All-Star on the roster, and also for Antetokounmpo as he mends (without cutting corners in the recovery process).
5. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
Last week’s ranking: No. 6
Season stats: 27.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, 9.9 assists
His case: He has the most impressive triple-double this side of Jokic with a 46-point all-around demolition of the Wizards. Overall, Cunningham’s work warrants his place on this Ladder, coupled with the Pistons’ rise to the top in the East.
Speaking of Jokić, Cunningham is second in the league in assists behind the Nuggets’ big man. In seven games this month, Cunningham reached double-figures in assists six times, with 18 in a win over the Mavericks. His ability to influence the outcome of games with scoring, passing and defense is rising.
The next 5:
6. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
7. Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks
8. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
9. Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets
10. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
And five more (listed alphabetically): Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors; Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons; Norman Powell, Miami Heat; Julius Randle, Minnesota Timberwolves; Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers
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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA since 1985. You can e-mail him at spowell@nba.com, find his archive here and follow him on X.
