Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic continue to headline the MVP race. But while the spotlight stays on them, Cade Cunningham is quietly building a case of his own.
Drafted first overall, Cunningham has had MVP aura written all over him. This season, he’s making that case with averages of 25.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 9.6 assists per game on 46.2% shooting from the field.
What makes it more impressive is he’s doing it while leading the Detroit Pistons to the top seed in the Eastern Conference, something nobody predicted to happen before the season started.
With that rise, his MVP case is becoming clearer, and Pistons head coach JB Bickerstaff believes Cunningham would be the MVP if the season ended today.
“If you have a guy who is most important to winning, with the record we have and the weight that he carries, there is no doubt in my mind that he is the MVP if the season ended today.”
J.B. Bickerstaff talking about if the season ending today Cade Cunningham should be MVP
“If you have a guy, that is most important to winning, with the record we have and the weight that he carries. There is no doubt in my mind that he is the MVP if the season ending today”… pic.twitter.com/R9eheNk8mG
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) February 17, 2026
