Cade Cunningham Calls Out 'Foul Baiters' Hurting NBA Games

Detroit Pistons star says top players manipulating referees is the biggest problem in the league.

Feb. 27, 2026 at 4:23am

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Detroit Pistons superstar Cade Cunningham spoke out against foul baiting in the NBA, calling it the biggest problem in the league. Cunningham named several top players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, and Jalen Brunson as the main culprits, saying they constantly hunt for fouls to their advantage. The rising Pistons star said he wants to win a championship without relying on favorable officiating, and criticized the league for not doing more to address the issue.

Why it matters

Foul baiting has become a major point of contention in the NBA, with many fans and players criticizing the way top stars manipulate the rules to draw frequent free throw attempts. As one of the league's emerging young superstars, Cunningham's comments carry weight and highlight the growing frustration around this issue that some believe is hurting the overall quality of NBA games.

The details

In a recent interview with GQ, Cunningham called out several top-10 NBA players who he says are 'constantly' foul baiting. He specifically named Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, and Jalen Brunson as the main culprits, saying their reliance on drawing fouls is the 'biggest problem' in the league today. Cunningham said the issue is tough to address, as the league is hesitant to crack down on its biggest stars. He added that he wants to win a championship 'the right way' without needing favorable officiating, but acknowledged the temptation for other stars to seek the same advantage.

  • Cunningham made these comments in a recent interview with GQ magazine.

The players

Cade Cunningham

The rising superstar of the Detroit Pistons, who has led the team to title contention faster than expected.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

An Oklahoma City Thunder guard known as one of the NBA's top foul baiters.

Nikola Jokic

The Denver Nuggets center and two-time NBA MVP, also criticized for excessive foul baiting.

Jalen Brunson

The New York Knicks guard, another player who has drawn scrutiny for his foul-drawing tactics.

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What they’re saying

“The flopping is just too much. What do you do with your best players that do it? Three of the top 5,10 guys [in the NBA] are doing it constantly. You gon' kick them out the game? You can't hack them. It's tough.”

— Cade Cunningham (GQ)

“If I win a championship—when I win the championship—I'm going to want the same type [of whistle]. I want to be able to foul people and they can't foul me! You have to ref the game for what you're seeing, not reputations or any other stuff. It doesn't get reffed that way.”

— Cade Cunningham (GQ)

What’s next

Cunningham's comments have sparked renewed debate around the NBA's foul baiting problem, and could put pressure on the league to address the issue more directly. As one of the league's rising stars, Cunningham's stance could influence other players to take a stand against the practice as well.

The takeaway

Cade Cunningham's criticism of foul baiting highlights a growing frustration among fans and players about the way some of the NBA's top stars manipulate the rules to their advantage. As the league continues to grapple with this issue, Cunningham's willingness to speak out could inspire others to demand more accountability and integrity in the game.