Cade Cunningham finished seventh in MVP voting last season - a solid nod to his breakout campaign - but if you ask former NBA guard Jeff Teague, that wasn’t the peak. According to Teague, Cunningham should be leading the MVP race this year. That take, shared on the Club520 Podcast, stirred up plenty of debate online, and for good reason.
On the surface, it’s easy to push back. After all, Nikola Jokic is doing Nikola Jokic things - leading the league in rebounds and assists while averaging 30 points per game on a mind-bending 67% effective field goal percentage.
His team is sitting as the 2-seed in the Western Conference, and he’s flirting with a statistical triple crown that would be unprecedented: leading the league in points, assists, and rebounds on 62% shooting. That’s a level of dominance we just don’t see.
Then there’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who’s been the engine behind the best team in basketball, and Luka Doncic, who’s currently leading the league in scoring. Both are putting up MVP-worthy seasons in their own right - and most voters would likely have them ahead of Cunningham at this stage.
But Teague’s take isn’t without merit. In fact, when you dig a little deeper, Cade’s case starts to look a lot more serious than it might at first glance.
Cade Cunningham: Carrying the Load on Both Ends
Let’s start with the basics: Cade is the best player on the best team in the Eastern Conference. That alone should put him in the MVP conversation.
The Pistons weren’t expected to be anywhere near the top of the standings - not this soon, not with this roster. Yet here they are, and Cunningham is the catalyst.
Unlike most MVP contenders, Cade is doing this without a clear second star. There’s no co-pilot to take the pressure off.
Every night, defenses load up on him - traps, double teams, you name it - and he still finds ways to produce. He’s currently averaging 27 points per game (11th in the league), sits second overall in assists, and adds six rebounds a night.
Those numbers are impressive on their own, but they become even more meaningful when you consider the defensive attention he draws.
And while his outside shot hasn’t fully clicked yet this season, there’s every reason to believe that could change. If he gets hot from deep, those scoring numbers could climb even higher - and with them, his MVP stock.
But here’s where Cunningham really separates himself: defense.
The Defensive Edge
Among the top MVP candidates, Cunningham is the best defender. That’s not a hot take - that’s backed by the numbers.
He currently leads the entire NBA in opponent field goal percentage when he’s the primary defender, holding players to just 40.8% shooting (130-of-319). That’s elite-level perimeter defense in a league that’s never been more offensively skilled.
And it’s not just about one stat. Cunningham leads the NBA in games with at least 15 points, five assists, two steals, and two blocks - a rare combination that speaks to his all-around impact. He’s not just stuffing the stat sheet; he’s anchoring possessions on both ends of the floor.
A Solo Star in a Team Game
When you look at the MVP race, context matters. Jokic has Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr.
Shai has a deep, balanced OKC roster. Luka has Kyrie.
Cade? He’s doing it largely alone, and still winning.
That’s not to say the Pistons are a one-man show - they’ve been a cohesive, well-coached unit - but Cunningham is the clear engine. Without him, Detroit isn’t in this position. With him, they’re at the top of the East.
Now, will that be enough to unseat the heavyweights in the MVP race? Probably not.
Voters tend to lean toward gaudier stats or top-tier teams in the tougher conference. But Cunningham’s case deserves more national attention than it’s getting.
He’s not just putting up numbers - he’s setting a tone. He’s defending at an elite level, creating offense out of nothing, and leading a team that’s wildly overachieving.
So while the MVP trophy might not land in Detroit this season, Cade Cunningham is making it clear: he belongs in the conversation. And if this trajectory continues, it might not be long before he’s not just in the race - he’s leading it.