The Detroit Pistons are on quite a roll these days. After struggling through a rough 2023-24 season, they’ve made a remarkable turnaround and are now sitting pretty as the sixth seed in the East with a record of 34-27.
A key player in their resurgence? None other than Cade Cunningham. Cunningham has been delivering standout performances all season, and according to Bovada, he’s the current frontrunner for the Most Improved Player award. With odds standing at -600, he’s leading the pack by a significant margin, ahead of Tyler Herro who trails at +700.
Next in line are Christian Braun with +1500, Dyson Daniels and Evan Mobley holding +4000, and Amen Thompson tied with Jalen Williams at +10000. De’Andre Hunter rounds out the contenders at +15000.
But what makes Cunningham such a formidable contender? Simply put, his stats speak volumes. This season, he’s averaging an impressive 25.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 9.4 assists per game, shooting 45.7% from the field and 36.4% from beyond the arc. To put this in perspective, last season he averaged 22.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 7.5 assists, with shooting percentages of 44.9% from the field and 35.5% from three-point territory.
Cunningham’s standout performance is not just a personal triumph but a crucial factor in the Pistons’ overall success. The team’s transformation from setting records for losses last year to becoming serious playoff contenders is nothing short of remarkable.
While it’s clear that Cunningham isn’t solely responsible for the Pistons’ success, he undoubtedly plays a pivotal role as the team’s star player. His contributions are underscored by stats that suggest this newfound success wouldn’t be happening without him.
As the season progresses, there are always potential shake-ups, but the odds are stacking up for Cunningham to clinch the Most Improved Player award.
