DETROIT >> Prior to this past season, Tom Gores had several moments where he did not know how to get the Detroit Pistons out of their agony. They were the NBA’s laughingstock, winning a combined 94 games during a five-season stretch — from 2019-20 through 2023-24 — an average of 18.8 victories per season.
Gores had many concerns about the future.
However, regarding Cade Cunningham, Gores never doubted that the Pistons had a player who would become the face of the franchise.
The 2024-25 season ended with Cunningham establishing himself as one of the league’s most prominent players. Although Cunningham did not win the Most Improved Player of the Year award, Gores sees an MVP award in Cunningham’s future as the Pistons’ floor leader continues to rise in the basketball hierarchy.
He finished third for Most Improved Player of the Year honors behind Dyson Daniels (Atlanta Hawks) and Ivica Zubac (Los Angeles Clippers). Daniels won the award with 44 firstplace votes. Cunningham received 15.
“I am focused on MVP for him,” Gores said earlier this month. “He has that. Everyone saw it this year that he is a superstar in the making.
His ability. His poise.
I’ve talked to Cade throughout the season to remind him that so much of the character of this team revolves around his ability to stay strong. We forget that he is still a young man (23), but he doesn’t show it.”
Witnessing Cunningham’s ascension this season is one of several reasons Gores has a significant sense of gratitude entering the offseason.
Cunningham led the Pistons to their best season under Gores’ ownership with career averages of 26.1 points on 46.9% shooting from the field, 9.1 assists and 6.1 rebounds across 70 games. Cunningham also finished the season tied for the fifth-most triple-doubles in the league with five.
As a result, his career year coincided with the Pistons finishing the regular season 44-38, their best record in nine years.
Their resurgence ended in a six-game, first-round series against the New York Knicks, during which Cunningham averaged 25 points, 8.7 assists, 8.3 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.3 blocks.
“Cade has been doing an incredible job all year,”
Knicks star Jalen Brunson said after Game 4 of the playoffs. “I have the utmost respect for him, what he has been able to do, and what he’s going to do for the rest of his career.”
Cunningham’s achievements this season, which include several game-winning plays and representing Detroit at the NBA All-Star Game in February, highlight the success Gores envisioned when the franchise selected the former Oklahoma State product as the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. For the first time since acquiring the franchise in 2011, Gores is no longer entering the offseason stressed about the Pistons’ inadequate state. He aims to build upon Detroit’s successful comeback season with Cunningham leading the way.
“I am not surprised by Cade,” Gores said. “We knew it the minute we had him a part of us. His I.Q. in general, I just don’t want to say basketball … I am very proud of him.”