Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) looks to drive past Brooklyn Nets guard Tyrese Martin (13) in the second quarter at Barclays Center. Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Cade Cunningham's star continues to rise with new endorsement agreement

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Nov 17, 2025 7:54 PM ET

The Detroit Pistons have to be thrilled about where point guard Cade Cunningham is in his career. They also have to be thrilled about where Cunningham has led them on the court, as well.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft started his career out a bit slow as he dealt with a bad roster around him and a plethora of injuries.

The tide has turned in Detroit, though, and Cunningham's rise from star to superstar has been a big part of that.

He's averaging 27.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 9.9 assists this season and is on pace for an All-NBA campaign a season after making his first All-Star game.

Not surprisingly, then, Cunningham's star power is being recognized by one of the biggest star-makers in the world: Nike.

It's being reported that Cunningham has reached a new six-year deal with Nike that will include his own signature shoe. Cunningham himself confirmed that news in an interview with Kevin Durant.

Durant congratulated the young star and asked him if he understood how big a deal it was to be a featured athlete with Nike and to get his own shoe.

"I haven't really grasped it yet," Cunningham said. "It's a dream come true.

EXCLUSIVE: Cade Cunningham is next up for his own Nike sneaker—currently in early build and planned for Spring 2027. pic.twitter.com/7OWz27Gmyt
— Boardroom (@boardroom) November 17, 2025

Cade Cunningham has become a superstar for the Detroit Pistons

Cunningham has really seen this franchise come back from rock bottom.

The Pistons' record was 54-192 over Cunningham's first three seasons, and that included a 14-68 record in 2023-24.

The Pistons fired general manager Troy Weaver and head coach Monty Williams after that season, and the new brain trust of Trajan Langdon and head coach J.B. Bickerstaff led the way into a new era.

Last season, the Pistons went 44-38 and made the NBA playoffs for the first time in years. Cunningham averaged 26.1 points, 9.1 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game.

Now, not including Monday night's game against the Indiana Pacers, which is ongoing at the time of this writing, the Pistons are 11-2 and on top of the Eastern Conference thanks to a nine-game win streak.

Cunningham's rise has coincided with Detroit's rise back to the top in the East, and he's absolutely deserving of all the accolades and fame that come with it.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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