Detroit Pistons Elite Star Out For The Season
A Pistons star has decided to receive season-ending surgery after consulting multiple doctors. So how does this affect the Pistons and the future in Detroit?
A Star’s Season Comes To An End
On Monday evening, Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons announced that he would get season-ending surgery on his left shin, per Adrian Wojnarowski. Cade Cunningham has been out from this shin injury since November 9th. Cunningham consulted with various doctors over the last few weeks and, along with the Pistons, decided to shut it down for the season.
Cunningham being out for a month was hoping that rest and rehabilitation would eventually correct the injury, but that was not the case. However, with this season-ending injury, Cunningham should be ready before training camp in the 2023-2024 season.
Breaking: Cade Cunningham plans to have season-ending surgery on his left shin, sources tell @wojespn. https://t.co/vjufASa6jd — ESPN (@espn) December 12, 2022
Promising Future In Detroit
Cade Cunningham has been a tremendous bright spot for this declining franchise as of late. The Pistons have made the playoffs twice in 13 seasons. The worst drought for Detroit since the mid-1960s/early-1970s. Cade Cunningham looks to reverse that trend; in his rookie year, Cunningham averaged 17.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game.
Prior to the injury this year, Cunningham improved from his rookie year, averaging 19.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and six assists in the first 12 games this season. However, in those 12 games, the Detroit Pistons went 3-9. Without Cunningham, the Pistons are 4-13 with a league-worst record of 7-22.
Despite the record and injuries, the Pistons have many young talents. They currently have six top-ten picks on their roster, along with guys barely outside the top-ten like Jaren Duran (2022, 12th overall pick), Alec Burks (2011, 12th overall pick), Isaiah Stewart (2020, 16th overall pick), and Saddiq Bey (2020, 19th overall pick). So the future for the Detroit Pistons is looking bright!
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Conclusion
The bottom line is this injury hurts the Pistons, but only for this year. With the Pistons having the worst record in the league, this gives Detroit an excellent opportunity for a top pick in the 2023 NBA draft. With Cade Cunningham coming back next year, the Pistons will be thriving in the future. Look for Detroit’s rookie, Jaden Ivey, to have a potential Rookie of the Year campaign with Cunningham out for the season.