How Pistons’ Cade Cunningham becoming award eligible could cost Jalen Duren

The NBA on Thursday ruled in favor of the appeals of Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham and Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic regarding the 65-game rule, making them eligible for the individual awards despite not meeting the minimum threshold.

The league cited the “extraordinary circumstances” clause in the collective bargaining agreement in its decision.

Cunningham suffered a collapsed lung in March, limiting him to 63 games. Doncic, who played 64 games, missed two games in December for the birth of his daughter.

Both of them are in the running for the MVP and All-NBA Teams.

While the NBA’s decision was a welcome development for them, it could adversely impact Cunningham’s teammate, Jalen Duren. With limited slots on the All-NBA Teams, Duren might be snubbed, losing out on a lucrative incentive, as pointed out by ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel.

“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,” noted Siegel on X.

Since the 2023-2024 season, the 15 players have been chosen for the All-NBA Teams regardless of position.

Duren averaged a career-high 19.5 points, 65.0% field goals, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 70 games this season, earning his first nod to the All-Star Game.

While receiving an individual honor, along with the bonus money, is great, it is safe to assume that Duren is more focused on helping the Pistons go on a deep run in the playoffs and make it to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2005.

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