Cade Cunningham was selected as the top draft pick in the 2021 NBA Draft and was viewed as the future of the Detroit Pistons.
The road for Cunningham and the Pistons hasn’t been smooth since then.
But that doesn’t change the fact that Cunningham has definitely been a special star during his first two years in the league.
According to StatMuse, he has averaged 17.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 1.2 steals per game since being drafted.
He is one of just seven active players averaging 15/5/5/1.
Cade Cunningham since being drafted in 2021:
17.8 PPG
5.6 APG
5.6 RPG
1.2 SPGOne of seven active players averaging 15/5/5/1. pic.twitter.com/JskrwAhqAC
— StatMuse (@statmuse) July 11, 2023
It took him a moment to find his footing in the league but Cunningham eventually averaged 17.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.6 assists during his first season.
That earned him a spot on the 2021-22 All-Rookie Team, although he missed out on Rookie of the Year.
In his second year, Cunningham stepped it up to a 19.9-point, 6.2-rebound, and 6-assist average.
However, he only played 12 games during his second year in the league.
In December, it was announced that Cunningham would undergo season-ending surgery to repair problems in his left shin.
The Pistons were already in a bad spot before losing Cunningham but his departure sent them further down the Eastern Conference standings.
They ended the year with a 17-65 record, the worst in the league.
But now Cunningham is set to return to the Pistons in 2023-24 and the expectations are high.
If he can continue to build upon his numbers, the Pistons might have a chance of making some noise in the East.
This is even more true because there are other impressive players on the roster, such as Jaden Ivey, Bojan Bogdanovic, Isaiah Stewart, and rookie Ausar Thompson.
Cunningham might end up being the centerpiece that brings the entire team together in the new season.
NEXT: Pistons Rookie Makes His Goals Clear About NBA Future
