Cade Cunningham is out for at least two weeks with a collapsed lung. That’s bad news for the Detroit Pistons’ playoff ambitions.
The Pistons rely heavily on Cunningham, who averages 24.5 points, 9.9 assists and 1.5 steals for the top team in the Eastern Conference. That’s why his injury may make the Pistons regret not adding to their team at the trade deadline.
Detroit Pistons made minimal moves to shore up team
The Pistons have been a huge success story, with a 50-19 record and the NBA’s second-ranked defense. On offense, they’ve leaned heavily on Cunningham and fellow All-Star Jalen Duren, who averages 19 points on 64.2 percent shooting. Take away Cunningham, and Duren isn’t nearly as effective on the pick-and-roll.
While their overall offense has been solid thanks to their All-Star duo and by drawing the second-most free throws in the NBA, they’re not a good outside shooting team. The Pistons make the third-fewest three-point shots in the NBA, sinking them at a 34.9 percent rate.
At the trade deadline, Detroit’s only move was to swap former No. 5 pick Jaden Ivey for forward Kevin Huerter and a pick swap with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Since joining the Pistons, Huerter is shooting just 20 percent from behind the arc.
Cade Cunningham will need help when he returns
The severity of Cunningham’s lung injury will determine how long he’s out, along with if his treatment requires a chest tube. He’ll be reevaluated in two weeks, but any lung trouble will deliver a serious hit to Cunningham’s conditioning. Even when he returns, the Pistons can’t expect him to dominate right away.
The one upside is that the Pistons will be forced to figure out how to score without their star player. Thursday, Duren scored 24 points and Caris LeVert delivered 14 points and six assists off the bench in a 117-95 win over the Washington Wizards. Their big test will come next week, when they face the red-hot Los Angeles Lakers and Atlanta Hawks.
Someone else on the roster will have to step up. That would be a lot more likely if the Pistons had prioritized getting Cunningham help at the trade deadline, rather than jockeying for draft position. Now they’ll be holding their breath awaiting Cunningham’s recovery.
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