Detroit’s All-Star Trio: Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, and J.B. Bickerstaff Lead Pistons’ Resurgence
For the first time in nearly two decades, the Detroit Pistons are sending a star-studded trio to the NBA All-Star Game - and not just as participants, but as headliners. Guard Cade Cunningham, center Jalen Duren, and head coach J.B. Bickerstaff will all represent the Pistons on the USA Stars team, a well-earned recognition in a season that has seen Detroit flip the script on years of rebuilding.
The announcement came just hours before the Pistons edged out the Denver Nuggets in a 124-121 thriller at Little Caesars Arena. The timing couldn’t have been more fitting. Detroit is no longer just a team with potential - it’s a team delivering on it.
A Special First for Duren, A Milestone for Cunningham
Cade Cunningham, now a two-time All-Star, earned his first selection as a starter - a major step forward for the 24-year-old guard who’s been the engine behind Detroit’s offensive resurgence. He’s putting up eye-popping numbers this season: 25.2 points per game, an NBA-best 9.8 assists, and 5.6 rebounds. This isn’t just efficient play - it’s elite-level production from a player who’s clearly grown into his role as the face of the franchise.
This year marks a new chapter in All-Star history for the Pistons, and it’s also a career milestone for Jalen Duren. The 20-year-old big man earned his first All-Star nod thanks to a breakout season, averaging 18 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists. He’s been a constant lob threat and rim protector, and his chemistry with Cunningham has become one of the league’s most exciting young duos.
Duren’s athleticism will also be on display in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest on February 14, where he’ll compete alongside San Antonio’s Carter Bryant and the Lakers’ Jaxson Haynes. He’s the first Piston to enter the dunk contest since Andre Drummond in 2016 - and with his vertical game, he could make some real noise.
Bickerstaff’s Coaching Recognition Caps Historic Turnaround
For J.B. Bickerstaff, this All-Star selection is a moment of validation - not just for his coaching chops, but for the culture shift he’s helped engineer in Detroit.
In just his second season with the Pistons, Bickerstaff has led the team to a 36-12 record, the best start the franchise has seen in 20 years. That’s a long way from the 14-68 campaign they endured just last season.
And it’s not just about wins and losses - it’s about resilience. This year, the Pistons pulled off one of the most dramatic in-season turnarounds in NBA history, bouncing from a 12-game losing streak to a 12-game win streak in record time. That kind of bounce-back doesn’t happen without buy-in from the locker room and a steady hand on the sidelines.
Bickerstaff becomes the first Pistons head coach to lead an All-Star squad since the late Flip Saunders in 2006 - a fitting nod to the impact he’s made in such a short time.
A New All-Star Format, A New Era for the Pistons
This year’s All-Star Game introduces a fresh format: a round-robin mini-tournament featuring two U.S.-based squads - the USA Stars and USA Stripes - and a World team. It’s a break from the traditional East vs. West or captain-drafted formats of years past, and it’s designed to showcase international flavor and rising American talent.
The Pistons are one of just five NBA teams to have multiple All-Star selections this year, joining the Thunder, Knicks, Nuggets, and Lakers. But only Detroit and Denver have multiple players and a coach on the same All-Star team. Denver’s Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray will suit up for the World team, while Bickerstaff, Cunningham, and Duren will lead the charge for the USA Stars.
Rounding out the USA Stars roster are some of the league’s brightest young names: Scottie Barnes (Raptors), Devin Booker (Suns), Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves), Anthony Edwards (Thunder), Jalen Johnson (Hawks), and Tyrese Maxey (76ers). It’s a stacked squad, and Detroit’s core will be right in the heart of the action.
Looking Back, Looking Ahead
The last time the Pistons had multiple All-Stars was 2008 - the Chauncey Billups, Rip Hamilton, and Rasheed Wallace era. That group was known for its grit, chemistry, and postseason pedigree. This year’s trio is carving out its own identity, built on pace, playmaking, and a belief that Detroit basketball is ready to matter again.
For Cunningham, Duren, and Bickerstaff, this All-Star appearance is more than just a midseason accolade. It’s a statement. The Pistons are no longer waiting for the future - they’re building it, one win, one assist, one dunk at a time.
The All-Star festivities tip off February 15 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. And for the Pistons, it’s not just a celebration - it’s a sign that the rebuild is over. Detroit is back.