Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham is now eligible for NBA postseason awards after successfully petitioning under the league’s “extraordinary circumstances” clause.
Cunningham, 24, was unable to meet the 65-game threshold after he incurred a collapsed lung in March, keeping him sidelined for 11 consecutive games.
The Pistons star had logged 61 games played before sustaining the injury March 17. He returned for the final three contests of the regular season, pushing his season’s games played total to 64. Believing his situation was unique, Cunningham decided to petition, which is allowed under the NBA’s current collective bargaining agreement.
GettyCHICAGO, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 21: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons. (Photo by Jayden Mack/Getty Images)
Today, the NBA and NBPA agreed Cunningham’s case met the criteria to bypass the games played limit to obtain eligibility for postseason awards.
While that is tremendous news for the face of Detroit’s franchise, perhaps the same cannot be said about Cunningham’s rising star teammate Jalen Duren.
Cade Cunningham’s Sidekick Dealt Potential Blow After NBA’s Decision
It is hard to begin illustrating the story of the 2025-26 NBA regular season without mentioning the Pistons.
Just three years ago, they were in the doldrums, viewed as the NBA’s punchline. Today, these Pistons are on top of the Eastern Conference with championship aspirations.
Detroit finished with a 60-22 regular season record, tying them for the second best record in the NBA. Cunningham has certainly been a driving force in the Pistons’ resurgence, but another integral figure has been Duren, the 22-year-old first-time All-Star.
In the regular season, Duren averaged 19.5 points (up from 11.8 a year ago) and 10.5 rebounds per game while anchoring a top three unit in defensive rating in the NBA. Considering his first All-Star nod and his role in steering the Pistons to the best record in the East, Duren has a convincing case to earn a spot on an All-NBA team.
Here’s the kicker: With the NBA and NBPA agreeing to grant Cunningham — and even Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic — eligibility for postseason awards, Duren’s chances to earn All-NBA suddenly drop.
Duren, who is still under his rookie contract, is in line for a major payday. Under the Rose Role, a team must pay a player the designated rookie max if he earns an All-NBA selection. But with Cunningham and Doncic back in the fold for major awards, it likely kicks Duren’s case to the side. If he doesn’t capture All-NBA honors this season, Detroit will no longer be obliged to pay him the rookie max extension.
According to NBA reporter Brett Siegel, Duren is potentially in line to lose roughly $40 million if he doesn’t make an All-NBA team this season.
Duren Faces Brutal Reality
Remarkably, Duren’s teammate winning his petition could mean the star big man misses out on some major money. Cunningham is the same player who has perhaps helped Duren the most in developing into an All-Star.
Cunningham has been the perfect pairing with Duren. The two Detroit stars have assembled a masterful 1-2 punch all season and have been the engine of the NBA’s newest contender.
Even in games Cunningham was absent this season, Duren didn’t slow down; in fact, he boosted his averages to 22.2 points and 11.4 rebounds per game while shooting over 65% from the floor.
Is Duren deserving of a spot on one of the three All-NBA teams? Yes, undeniably. Though he still may achieve the honor, both Cunningham and Doncic will almost certainly earn a spot on either the first or second team.
Considering only five players can be selected across three teams, Duren is facing stiff competition from 14 other players.
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