The Detroit Pistons have already taken a major step forward this season.
Now, Cade Cunningham may soon check another important box.
According to ESPN’s latest power rankings, Cunningham could reach the NBA’s 65-game threshold for award eligibility as soon as March 23, when Detroit hosts the Los Angeles Lakers. Hitting that mark would make him officially eligible for Most Valuable Player and All-NBA consideration.
Detroit has already surpassed the 44-win mark and could still make a push toward 60 victories, with a favorable stretch of schedule ahead.
Before that late-March matchup with the Lakers, the Pistons face several struggling teams, including the Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards and Memphis Grizzlies.
If the Pistons take care of business, they could solidify home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference playoffs before the final weeks of the regular season.
For Cunningham, the timing could be perfect.
The former No. 1 overall pick has already emerged as the centerpiece of Detroit’s resurgence. Soon, he may officially qualify for the league’s top individual honors as well.
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