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The Detroit Pistons surprised everyone when they secured the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, but that doesn't mean people expect them to repeat that success.
As the Eastern Conference has the defending champion New York Knicks and several teams adding superstar-caliber talents to their rosters, the Pistons seem to have gotten lost in the shuffle. Detroit returns much of last year's squad while adding John Collins to its starting unit, hoping he can help unlock some untapped potential on offense.
If the rest of the league isn't going to buy into the Pistons again this year, star point guard Cade Cunningham seems ok with that. Cunningham spoke with the media about the Pistons' standing in the league, arguing that the team is happy to embrace the underdog role.
Cade Cunningham's message
Cade Cunningham spoke with the media after practice on Thursday and was asked several questions about the team entering the season. Among the topics Cunningham discussed was the Pistons lack of hype in the offseason despite winning 60 games in 2025-26.
"I still feel like we're a little slept on, man," Cunningham said. "I still feel like people don't really give us the credit that maybe we've earned. But again, that's the beauty of it. I think that's part of being in Detroit."
Cade Cunningham on the Pistons: “I still feel like we’re a little slept on, man. I still feel like people don’t really give us the credit that maybe we’ve earned. But again, that’s the beauty of it. I think that’s part of being in Detroit.” https://t.co/JcHdXKB8Nh
— Hunter Patterson (@HunterPatterson) October 15, 2026Cunningham is not wrong that the Pistons are not being treated to the level of other contenders. According to DraftKings, Detroit's odds to win the NBA Finals are tied for seventh-best, behind four other Eastern Conference teams. Additionally, DraftKings' over/under for Pistons wins is 48.5, a full 11.5 wins less than Detroit's win total last season.
The Eastern Conference is a much tougher conference this season, which will test Cunningham's theory. Besides the defending-champion New York Knicks returning almost their entire team, the Miami Heat added Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Toronto Raptors added Kawhi Leonard, and the Philadelphia 76ers added both Jaylen Brown and LeBron James.
So, if the Pistons can once again reach 60 wins and the top seed in the East, it's fair to say no one will be sleeping on them anymore.
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