Cade Cunningham Surpasses Paolo Banchero as Top Eastern Star

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Over the past two seasons, the standing of Cade Cunningham and Paolo Banchero, once heralded as top draft prospects, has shifted dramatically in the NBA. Cunningham has emerged as the leading former No. 1 pick in the East, while Banchero's performance has sharply declined, causing a reevaluation of who leads the pack among young stars in the conference.

Why it matters

The contrast between Cunningham and Banchero's trajectories highlights the fluid nature of NBA stardom and the importance of sustained growth and team success. This shift could have significant implications for the future of the Eastern Conference, as teams like the Pistons and Magic look to build around their young cornerstones.

The details

Two years ago, Paolo Banchero spearheaded the Orlando Magic's surprising playoff push and earned an All-Star selection, a year before Cunningham received the same honor. However, this season, Cunningham has clearly distanced himself from Banchero. Cunningham is known for his unselfish playmaking and has elevated his teammates' performance, while Banchero has faced criticism for limiting ball movement, especially during crunch time. Cunningham's clutch true shooting percentage has risen to nearly 60%, exemplifying his growth as a dependable go-to player, while Banchero's efficiency has sharply declined to 34%.

• Two years ago, Paolo Banchero earned an All-Star selection.
• A year later, Cade Cunningham received the same honor.
• This season, Cunningham's clutch true shooting percentage has risen to nearly 60%.
• This season, Banchero's clutch true shooting percentage has sharply declined to 34%.

What’s next

The Orlando Magic are now reconsidering their roster construction, particularly the fit between Banchero and Franz Wagner, and plan to undergo further changes this offseason.