Pistons' Cade Cunningham's Award Eligibility Could Cost Jalen Duren

Cunningham's eligibility for awards like All-NBA and MVP may impact Duren's potential contract.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 11:05pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in a cubist style, breaking down a basketball game into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette, conceptually representing the financial complexities surrounding NBA policy changes.The complex financial implications of NBA policy changes are illustrated through a cubist, geometric deconstruction of a basketball game.Today in Detroit

The Detroit Pistons recently received good news that star player Cade Cunningham will be eligible for awards like All-NBA and MVP this season, despite missing most of the stretch run due to a collapsed lung. However, this ruling may have an unintended negative consequence for Pistons center Jalen Duren, who could now miss out on a lucrative designated rookie max contract extension.

Why it matters

Cunningham's award eligibility is a positive for the Pistons, but it could cost them money in the long run by preventing Duren from qualifying for the designated rookie max contract. This highlights the complex dynamics between star players and their teammates when it comes to contract negotiations and salary cap implications.

The details

Cunningham's eligibility for awards like All-NBA and MVP this season comes despite him not meeting the usual 65-game requirement, due to his extended absence with a collapsed lung. While this is good news for Cunningham and the Pistons, it may negatively impact Duren's potential contract, as he now may not qualify for the designated rookie max extension.

  • Cunningham missed most of the stretch run of the 2022-23 NBA season with a collapsed lung.
  • The NBA recently ruled that Cunningham will be eligible for awards like All-NBA and MVP this season despite not meeting the 65-game requirement.

The players

Cade Cunningham

The star player for the Detroit Pistons who is now eligible for awards like All-NBA and MVP this season despite missing most of the stretch run due to a collapsed lung.

Jalen Duren

The Detroit Pistons' young center who may miss out on a lucrative designated rookie max contract extension due to Cunningham's award eligibility.

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What they’re saying

“Most noteworthy takeaway from this is the ruling all but dusts Jalen Duren's chances of making 3rd team, and Detroit will not have to pay him the Designated Rookie max (Rose Rule). 5% savings on their future cap table.”

— Rob Perez, NBA Insider

“This is the other significant ramification of the NBA moving goal posts for the 65-game rule. Jalen Duren now potentially loses out on $40+ million when he met all the criteria, did things the right way, and should be All-NBA.”

— Brett Siegel, NBA Insider

What’s next

The Pistons are currently preparing for a playoff matchup against either the Charlotte Hornets or the Orlando Magic, depending on the outcome of Friday night's play-in game between the two teams. Game 1 is set for Sunday evening in Detroit.

The takeaway

While Cunningham's award eligibility is a positive for the Pistons, it could have unintended consequences for Duren's contract negotiations. This highlights the complex dynamics between star players and their teammates when it comes to salary cap implications and contract negotiations.