Cade Cunningham Eyes Olympic Future as Pistons Surge into All-Star Break
Cade Cunningham is putting together the kind of season that doesn’t just turn heads - it shifts narratives. The Detroit Pistons are sitting atop the Eastern Conference at 40-13 heading into the All-Star break, and Cunningham has been the engine behind their rise. But while he's focused on leading Detroit deep into the postseason, he's also got his sights set on something even bigger: the Olympic stage.
After a dominant win over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night, Cunningham spoke candidly about his long-term vision - a vision that stretches far beyond this season. At just 22, he’s already thinking about what it takes to be the face of American basketball, especially as the sport prepares for a generational handoff.
“I could take the torch by continuing to work, continue to be better each and every year, continue to take steps as far as leading this team to more and more wins,” Cunningham said. “Winning the championship is the ultimate goal.
And then once that happens, staying poised and staying humble, coming back the next year and working every game. It’s a process.”
That process, for Cunningham, isn’t just about racking up wins or stats - it’s about building a legacy. He’s watched how legends like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant have carried the banner for Team USA. And with the 2028 Olympics set to take place in Los Angeles, Cunningham is positioning himself to be part of that next wave.
“There’s a lot of different things that go into it,” he added. “All those [top] guys did all that stuff and put the work in. So, that’s what I want to do.”
And so far, he’s doing just that. Cunningham has been the heartbeat of a Pistons squad that has taken a massive leap forward this season.
They're not just winning - they're asserting themselves as one of the most complete teams in the league. The trade deadline has come and gone, and Detroit didn’t make any panic moves.
That’s a reflection of confidence in the roster, but more importantly, in Cunningham’s leadership.
This season isn’t just a breakout - it’s a blueprint. Cunningham talked about how making the All-Star Game in L.A. was always part of his long-term plan. But that’s just one checkpoint.
“The L.A. All-Star Game was part of that plan,” he said.
“I wanted to make sure I’m in there. And then win a championship and be an Olympic point guard.”
That kind of clarity - knowing where you want to go and laying the foundation to get there - is rare. Especially for a young player leading a franchise that’s been searching for its identity for years. But Cunningham isn’t just leading the Pistons back into relevance - he’s aiming to put them on the mountaintop.
As Detroit heads into the All-Star break with the best record in the East, there’s a real sense that this team is just getting started. And if Cunningham keeps progressing the way he has, don’t be surprised if he’s not only an NBA champion in the near future - but also wearing red, white, and blue on the world’s biggest stage come 2028.