Pistons Veteran Is Favored To Win NBA’s Most Improved Player Award
The Detroit Pistons have been surging lately.
After a dismal season in 2023-24, they are now the sixth seed in the East with a 34-27 record.
A huge part of their success this year is due to the output from Cade Cunningham.
Cunningham has been sensational all year and is currently the odds-on favorite to win Most Improved Player of the Year, according to Bovada.
Per NBACentral, Cunningham holds -600 odds right now, making him the heavy favorite.
He is followed by Tyler Herro, who sits far behind him with +700.
After that, it’s Christian Braun with +1500, Dyson Daniels and Evan Mobley with +4000, Amen Thompson and Jalen Williams with +10000, and De’Andre Hunter with +15000.
Cunningham is far and away the most likely candidate, but why?
Cade Cunningham is the heavy favorite to win Most Improved Player, per @BovadaOfficial
Cade Cunningham -600
Tyler Herro +700
Christian Braun +1500
Dyson Daniels +4000
Evan Mobley +4000
Amen Thompson +10000
Jalen Williams +10000
De’Andre Hunter +15000 pic.twitter.com/IfF1xsSjth
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 3, 2025
Just looking at his stats this year tells a stark story.
He is averaging 25.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 9.4 assists per game, shooting 45.7 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from the three-point line.
Last season, he averaged 22.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 7.5 assists on 44.9 percent from the field and 35.5 percent from downtown.
Cunningham is doing great things, and his team’s newfound success is bringing him a lot of attention.
The turnaround in Detroit is massive and cannot be ignored.
Last year, they were literally setting records for how poorly they were playing, and now they are legitimate playoff contenders.
And although their success isn’t because of Cunningham alone, he is the centerpiece of the team and their most notable star.
Plus, the numbers prove this wouldn’t be possible without him.
A lot can change between now and the end of the season, but it seems increasingly likely that Cunningham will be walking away with this coveted trophy.
NEXT: Stephen A. Smith Names The NBA Coach Of The Year
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