Bickerstaff Backs Cunningham's Awards Eligibility

Pistons coach says star guard 'deserves it' after league grants exception

Apr. 16, 2026 at 8:57pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball player in motion, with the figure broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of vivid blue, red, and yellow hues.The NBA's decision to make an exception for top stars like Cade Cunningham ensures the league's brightest talents will be properly recognized.Today in Detroit

Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff publicly advocated for star guard Cade Cunningham's eligibility for NBA awards, including MVP and All-NBA, despite Cunningham falling just short of the league's 65-game requirement. The NBA and players' union later announced they would make an exception for Cunningham and Los Angeles Lakers' Luka Dončić, citing 'extraordinary circumstances' for the missed games.

Why it matters

Cunningham's standout season leading the Pistons to the top seed in the East makes him a leading candidate for major awards. The league's decision to grant an exception ensures one of the NBA's brightest young stars will be properly recognized for his contributions.

The details

Cunningham, 23, averaged 23.9 points, 9.9 assists, 5.5 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 0.8 blocks per game this season, establishing himself as one of the league's premier two-way players. He missed 12 games late in the season due to a collapsed lung, finishing with 63 games played - just shy of the 65-game eligibility requirement. Bickerstaff praised Cunningham's all-around impact, saying 'he deserves it' in regards to the awards consideration.

  • Cunningham missed 12 games after suffering a collapsed lung on March 17, but returned for the final three games of the season.
  • The NBA and NBPA announced the exception for Cunningham and Dončić on April 16, 2026.

The players

Cade Cunningham

The 23-year-old Detroit Pistons guard had a standout season, leading the team to the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference with averages of 23.9 points, 9.9 assists, 5.5 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 0.8 blocks per game.

J.B. Bickerstaff

The head coach of the Detroit Pistons, who publicly advocated for Cunningham's awards eligibility despite him falling just short of the league's 65-game requirement.

Luka Dončić

The Los Angeles Lakers star who was also granted an exception by the NBA and NBPA to be award-eligible despite missing the 65-game cutoff.

Anthony Edwards

The Minnesota Timberwolves wing who appealed his lack of awards eligibility, but was ruled against by an independent arbitrator.

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What they’re saying

“He deserves it, you know what I mean?”

— J.B. Bickerstaff, Head Coach, Detroit Pistons

What’s next

With Cunningham now eligible, he is expected to be a leading candidate for MVP and All-NBA honors when voters submit their ballots.

The takeaway

The league's decision to grant an exception for Cunningham and Dončić ensures two of the NBA's brightest young stars will be properly recognized for their standout seasons, despite missing the arbitrary 65-game threshold.