Cade Cunningham on LeBron to the Pistons: “I never called him”
Cunningham sets the record straight on LeBron James and leaves the spotlight on the Pistons’ real issue: Jalen Duren’s contract extension
After finishing first in the Eastern Conference with an impressive 60-22 record and bowing out with their heads held high only in Game 7 of the second round against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Detroit Pistons have proven to be a solid and rising force in the NBA. And they did it without a veteran superstar alongside their leader.
During the offseason, before LeBron James chose to join the Philadelphia 76ers, there were rumors that the Pistons might try to recruit the King. Cade Cunningham himself put those rumors to rest during an appearance on the Sports Seriously podcast, denying that he ever called LeBron to recruit him:
I never called LeBron. I don’t think he would’ve been that interested in hearing what I had to say. At this point in his career, he does exactly what he wants. I’m not upset about it, that’s totally fine, good for him. I don’t know where that rumor came from. I just let our staff do their job without getting involved
Cade Cunningham
Free-agent dreams and Jalen Duren’s future
For the Pistons, who finished fifth in the MVP race with Cunningham averaging 24.7 points, 9.5 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game over the course of the season, the need to take the final step forward is clear. The path to attracting other big names, however, remains complicated: rumors of a potential trade for Kevin Durant quickly faded after the Houston Rockets said no.
In this scenario, the biggest question heading into the 2026-27 season is Jalen Duren. Detroit’s front office faces a pivotal decision in building the roster: a maximum-salary extension would confirm the organization’s complete faith in the young core it has developed over the past few years, but it would also reduce its financial flexibility.
The $9.2 million qualifying offer, on the other hand, would allow Duren to enter unrestricted free agency the following summer, giving the Pistons the salary flexibility they need to make a run at a top player on the market.
With roughly $54 million in cap space before reaching the first apron, the decision on whether to extend their starting center will be the real domino that determines Detroit’s future balance in the Eastern Conference.