The focus of the 2022-23 NBA season for the Detroit Pistons is to continue to prioritize the development of their top young players. Cade Cunningham, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, plays an integral role in those efforts.
Cunningham has appeared in 12 games this season, averaging 19.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 6.0 assists. He’s getting it done in terms of volume, but he’s only shooting 41.5 percent from the floor and 27.9 percent from 3-point range. The next step for him will be to continue developing into an efficient half-court threat.
The ongoing development of Cunningham’s game may be on hold for a while. According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo! Sports, the Pistons star is currently “evaluating whether or not to play through the pain or undergo surgery” amid a stress fracture in his left shin.
“Cunningham has been evaluating whether or not to play through the pain or undergo surgery, per sources,” Fischer tweeted. “If he were to miss extended period of time, it would seem to put the rest of his season in obvious jeopardy.”
LATEST NBA INJURY NEWS: Cade Cunningham & Detroit Pistons Updates
If Cunningham were to undergo surgery, the rest of his season would be jeopardized. After undergoing such an operation, recovery can range from 4 to 12 weeks. However, choosing to bypass surgery presents a potential risk.
Cunningham has been sidelined for the Pistons’ last week of games due to shin soreness. The injury has been lingering since last season but has continued to flare up during the offseason and persists. The current expectation is that he’ll be sidelined indefinitely.
LATEST NBA INJURY NEWS: Cade Cunningham & Detroit Pistons Updates
The Pistons find themselves with a 3-14 record — the worst in the Eastern Conference. Without Cunningham, they will surely lean more on Jaden Hardy to initiate the offense. It would also become a prime opportunity for the struggling Killian Hayes to prove himself.
Given the Pistons’ already underachieving results, it would be a logical option for them to trade Bojan Bogdanovic, who was already generating trade interest before Cunningham’s injury status. He will be 34 in April and is playing on an expiring contract. Teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers, have been linked.
