Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons exceeded expectations in the 2025-26 season, finishing 60-22 in the regular season to become the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Cunningham led the Pistons to the East Semifinals, beating Orlando in seven games in the first round and pushing Cleveland to Game 7 before losing by 31 in the winner-take-all game.
The team had the chance to sign the best marquee free agent available, four-time champion LeBron James, in the offseason, but Cunningham and the Pistons did not make the move. Instead, they added four battle-tested veterans and two rookies for the 2026-27 campaign.
Cade Cunningham Sheds Light on Detroit Pistons’ Attempt To Recruit LeBron James During Free Agency
The star point guard was recently asked whether he had tried to persuade the Pistons’ front office to help secure James’s services after James became a free agent following his announcement that he would play elsewhere in the 2026-27 season.
Cunningham admitted that he did not reach out to James during the offseason, believing that the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player might have decided to move to another team to pursue another championship.
“I didn’t give LeBron a call. I don’t think he would have cared to hear what I had to say about it. He’s doing what he wants to do at this point,” Cunningham said. “I’m not mad at that. It is what it is, so good for him.”
James eventually signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, where he will team up with superstars Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, and Tyrese Maxey.
Miami traded for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis and secured Tim Hardaway Jr.’s agreement to a one-year deal to boost its title chances in the East, while Boston acquired Paul George (trade), Mitchell Robinson, and Mike Conley.
Newly-crowned champions, the New York Knicks, added veteran center Andre Drummond and extended deals with Jordan Clarkson, Jose Alvarado, and Landry Shamet in their quest for a back-to-back title.
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Detroit, however, made key additions to strengthen its roster. The team acquired veterans John Collins, Gary Harris, Isaiah Joe, and Taurean Prince in the offseason and added rookies Ebuka Okorie and Ugonna Onyenso.
They re-signed Kevin Huerter to a three-year deal, and Javonte Green received a one-year extension. However, Caris LeVert, Marcus Sasser, and Isaiah Stewart were traded to other teams, and Tobias Harris signed with the San Antonio Spurs as a free agent.
Aside from this, Detroit center Jalen Duren has yet to decide whether to agree to a new long-term deal or to test the free agency waters next season. Reports say the Pistons front office has offered him a one-year, $9.6 million qualifying offer, with an October 1 deadline to accept.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.