Pistons' Cade Cunningham already showing how he improved during offseason

Coty M. Davis, The Detroit News on Oct 8, 2025

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DETROIT — Cade Cunningham experienced an offseason unlike any he had previously. His ascension to All-NBA status last season led to him becoming one of the most prominent figures in the game, with promotional events and a television appearance.

But the most crucial change of the summer was Cunningham's shift in focus. For the first time in his career, he was no longer primarily concerned with lifting the Detroit Pistons out of purgatory; instead, he concentrated on taking his franchise to the next level.

"Having that playoff experience, it gives you something to learn from and build off," Cunningham said. "Just watching that series (against the Knicks), watching the last 20 games of the season, just sharpening up my skills as much as I can. But it was another healthy offseason for me. Grateful for that."

Throughout the summer, Cunningham emphasized his conditioning and training regimen to prepare his body for a full 82-game season and the possibility of a long playoff run.

He also believes that his improved physique will translate to better on-court results. In the Pistons' 128-112 preseason win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night, Cunningham scored 20 points (8 of 11 FG, 2 of 3 3-pointers) in 19 minutes, showcasing his improved strength through a variety of scoring techniques.

Cunningham showed improvements in finishing at the rim. Enhancing his finishing capability was one of Cunningham's goals by the end of last season.

"My teammates were making good passes, allowing me to get catch-and-shoot threes," Cunningham said. "A.T. (Ausar Thompson) hitting me in transition as guys ran the floor. I feel like I was just finishing plays at a high level. I didn't have to do anything crazy or overwork myself, I just found it through the flow (of the game) and made my shots."

Cunningham's offseason efforts reflect his devotion to cementing the Pistons as a championship contender this season. He understands that the Pistons' progression will require a team effort, but much of Detroit's success will fall on his shoulders.

"Winning games at the highest level, putting ourselves at the top of the league, as far as record, that is super important," Cunningham said. "For me to (take that MVP step), just sharpening my decision-making, my conditioning, all of those things add wins.

"Just staying locked in and focused on what's to come. I think we have put ourselves in a great position. I think I have put myself in a great position to have a great year."

Setting an identity

The Pistons took some time to find their rhythm in Memphis. Cunningham felt the team started "super slow" in the first quarter, which resulted in an early 20-point deficit at FedExForum.

"We caught up to the speed of the game," coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. "The things that are going to make us good defensively ... we were letting the ball go everywhere they wanted it to go. They were penetrating our paint. We were not physical. We were not aggressive. Then we found our rhythm, where we could be more physical and create turnovers and get out in transition."

Detroit's preseason was on the verge of a dreadful start before it picked up momentum in the second quarter. The Pistons outscored the Grizzlies 50-22 during the period, where Cunningham scored 11 of his 20 points. However, the Pistons' dominance was not solely due to their All-Star player taking charge. Their performance gave a glimpse into the identity the Pistons would like to establish in the upcoming season.

"It showed a lot. The urgency and everything went up," Cunningham said. "We got stops, rebounded and ran. That is when we are at our best. When we get out on the break after we get a stop, we have to continue building on that and continue getting sharper. We try to speed teams up a little bit now. So, it's all about getting better as preseason goes along, so we are ready for the season."

Highlighted by an acrobatic alley-oop layup between Cunningham and Tobias Harris, the Pistons scored 18 fast-break points against Memphis.

They were able to use their defense to get out in transition. Their half-court defense held the Grizzlies to 8-of-24 shooting from the field, 3-of-13 shooting from behind the arc. Their physicality also led to forcing Memphis into committing 10 turnovers during the period and conceding 16 points.

The most significant impact the Pistons' improved defense had came with their ability to play at a faster pace. Detroit's poor defense in the first quarter caused the Pistons to play at a pace of 100.4 possessions. In the second quarter, the Pistons' pace significantly increased to 127.76.

Bickerstaff credited the Pistons' improved defense and explosive offensive performance to the "dynamic" and "versatile" lineup that started the quarter, featuring Caris LeVert, Ausar Thompson, Duncan Robinson, Ron Holland and Isaiah Stewart.

“That group that started the second quarter, just look at the size on that,” Bickerstaff said. “I think we found something that we can use moving forward.”