Cade Cunningham Claims Pistons Remain Underestimated
The Detroit guard says the team still flies under the radar despite its dominant 2025-26 season.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Basketball
Live Poll
Does your local team deserve more recognition for their recent performance?
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham says the team continues to be overlooked by the league despite finishing the 2025-26 regular season as the Eastern Conference No. 1 seed. The squad is now shifting its focus to the upcoming regular season opener against the Boston Celtics.
Why it matters
The comments follow a disappointing East Semifinals exit in the 2026 playoffs, where the top-seeded Pistons were eliminated despite high expectations. The team is also navigating a landscape where offseason roster changes by Eastern Conference rivals have captured significant media attention.
The Pistons finished the 2025-26 regular season with a 60-22 record and earned the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. During the preseason, the team demonstrated offensive efficiency by defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 128-106 at Target Center.
The players
Cade Cunningham
He is a talented point guard for the Detroit Pistons who was the first overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.
Jalen Duren
He is a standout center for the Detroit Pistons who recently achieved his first All-Star and All-NBA selections.
The details
Cade Cunningham remains a central figure for Detroit, which required seven games to eliminate the Orlando Magic in the first round of the 2026 playoffs. Last season also marked a milestone for the franchise as Jalen Duren secured his first All-Star and All-NBA selections.
Timeline
The Pistons achieved a 60-22 record during the 2025-26 season.
The team defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves in a preseason game in October 2026.
The Pistons are scheduled to open their 2026-27 regular season against the Boston Celtics on October 20, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The franchise is aiming to validate its 2025-26 regular season success by overcoming the obstacles that led to their early exit in the 2026 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals. Consistent performance from stars like Cunningham will be vital to shifting the league's perception of their championship viability.
Fans should monitor the starting lineup against the Boston Celtics to see how the coaching staff integrates recent roster adjustments after last season's playoff exit. The team's ability to maintain high-level production from Duren and Cunningham will determine their standing in the Eastern Conference race.
The takeaway
The Pistons enter the season with a chip on their shoulder as they attempt to prove their top-seed status was not a fluke. Maintaining consistency through the regular season and into the playoffs will be essential for the team to overcome its current reputation as an overlooked contender.
What happens next
The Detroit Pistons are set to open their 2026-27 regular season against the Boston Celtics on October 20, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the team's upcoming schedule and roster developments, see Detroit Basketball.
Live Poll
Does your local team deserve more recognition for their recent performance?
