The Detroit Pistons have been the surprise package of the NBA in this early stage of the 2025/26 season. Led by All-NBA guard Cade Cunningham, the Pistons have catapulted to first place in the Eastern Conference on the strength of an 11-game winning streak.
The 13-2 Pistons already have a three-game lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Cunningham's continued improvement has been crucial to the strong start. Though the former #1 pick has missed three games with a hip injury, Cunningham ranks second in the NBA at 9.9 assists per game and is scoring at a career-best 27.3 point-per-game clip.
Cunningham's ascendance to superstardom has translated into a signature shoe deal with Nike, the existence of which he revealed this week on Boardroom with Kevin Durant. It makes Cunningham one of only six active players with such an agreement, which many think will cement the 24-year-old as an icon of Pistons basketball.
Gilbert Arenas claims Cunningham could leave the Pistons
However, former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas sees trouble ahead for Cunningham in Detroit.
Speaking on his Gil's Arena podcast, Arenas cast doubt on Nike's intention to keep Cunningham in Detroit. He believes the apparel giant's ultimate ambition is for Cunningham to play in a bigger market.
"If you're a Detroit Pistons fan, you should be worried a little bit," Arenas said. "Nike has its own agenda, and I'm pretty sure Cade staying in Detroit ain't part of their agenda. If they sense that 'this is our guard,' you want Cade to win championships."
"I'm pretty sure Cade staying in Detroit ain't part of their agenda."@NoChillGilZero says Cade Cunningham signing with Nike means he is destined for bigger things 👀 pic.twitter.com/KxJb3FGrEz
— Gil’s Arena (@GilsArenaShow) November 20, 2025
Last July, Cunningham signed a five-year, $224 million contract extension with the Pistons with no team or player options. That means Cunningham is under contract in Detroit until 2030 -- when the Pistons may well be in the midst of a championship window that already appears to be opening. The vibes are only trending up for the Pistons and their homegrown floor general.
Furthermore, Nike's other signature athletes -- including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Devin Booker and Ja Morant -- do not play in hulking NBA markets. They have remained with their original teams -- the Milwaukee Bucks, the Phoenix Suns and the Memphis Grizzlies, respectively -- although trade rumors involving Antetokounmpo and Morant have persisted throughout recent weeks.
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