theathleticuk
While the Detroit Pistons' offseason has been consumed by Jalen Duren's contract negotiations, the ongoing search for another ball-handling playmaker to complement Cade Cunningham has remained a persistent topic since Tobias Harris served as the second scoring option in the last postseason. The franchise did not add anyone to fill that void, but the discussion prompted a deeper examination: who have been Cunningham's most impactful teammates?
The evaluation criteria went beyond simple on-court synergy. It considered not only each teammate's individual offensive production but also how effectively they alleviated pressure from Cunningham and contributed to his growth, with a minimum of 45 games played together. The following list ranks the five best Pistons teammates Cunningham has had, based on these factors.
Top Teammates Ranked
At the top is Jalen Duren (2025-26), who posted career highs of 19.5 points on 65% shooting, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists, earning All-Star and All-NBA Third Team honors. Duren stands as the only teammate to achieve such accolades alongside Cunningham. His consistent 20-point, 11-rebound performances helped Cunningham blossom into an All-NBA First Team selection. Cunningham's 136 assists to Duren in the regular season set a career high for any teammate, and their 360 career assists together is the most for Cunningham since entering the league. Their chemistry is unmatched, making it crucial for the Pistons to secure Duren on a long-term deal.
Second is Bojan Bogdanovic (2022-23), who averaged a career-best 21.6 points on 41.1% three-point shooting, along with 3.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists. Bogdanovic was Cunningham's only teammate to average 20 points, and despite Cunningham playing just 12 games that season due to a stress fracture, the duo showed promise. Cunningham averaged career highs in points (19.9), rebounds (6.2), and assists (6.0) in those games, and Bogdanovic's ability to create his own shot remains unmatched among Cunningham's teammates since.
Third is Ausar Thompson (2022-23), who averaged 9.9 points on 52.5% shooting, 5.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.0 steals, finishing third in Defensive Player of the Year voting. Thompson is the least offensively gifted on this list but arguably the most impactful for winning. His elite defense creates transition opportunities, as evidenced by Cunningham's career-best 3.5 fast-break points per game. Thompson also provides an initiating option, allowing Cunningham to play off-ball, and Detroit views him as a core piece.
Fourth is Jerami Grant (2021-22), who averaged 19.2 points on 35.8% three-point shooting, 4.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.0 block. Grant played only 101 games with the Pistons but averaged 20.9 points over two seasons. His 25.7% usage rate in the 2021-22 season was second only to Cunningham, and his tough shot-making provided scoring relief, though his overall impact on winning was limited, as the team won just 43 games in his tenure.
Fifth is Tobias Harris (2025-26), who averaged 13.3 points on 36.8% three-point shooting, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. Harris's leadership and locker-room presence were invaluable, earning him the nickname 'safety blanket' and 'uncle.' His playoff performance was crucial, averaging 18.1 points per game, the second-highest of his postseason career, as Detroit relied on him when opponents double-teamed Cunningham. Harris's timely scoring helped the Pistons reach the second round, and his departure will be felt both on and off the court.
Originally reported by theathleticuk.