NBA Fans Outraged by Pistons Star Cade Cunningham's Ranking on Top 100

NBA fans feel Pistons star was snubbed on ESPN's player rankings.

Oct 13, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) drives to the net against Golden State Warriors guard Moses Moody (4) during the first quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images / Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images

Following a breakout season last year, Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham has shown he's on track to becoming a star-level player in the NBA. As the former No. 1 pick gears up for what many think could be a breakout, fans are outraged to see his standing on a recent player rankings list.

This week, the staff at ESPN put together their list of the top 100 NBA players heading into the 2024-25 season. As expected, Cunningham was the highest ranked player on the Pistons. He came in at No. 67, a spot many feel is too low. Some of the players directly ahead of Cunningham include Draymond Green, Malik Monk, Immanuel Quickley, and Khris Middleton.

ESPN ranks NBA players 51-100:

51.OG Anunoby
52.Franz Wagner
53.RJ Barrett
54.Alperen Sengun
55.Jaren Jackson Jr.
56.Dereck Lively II
57.Darius Garland
58.Coby White
59.Alex Caruso
60.Desmond Bane
61.Josh Hart
62.Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
63.Khris Middleton
64.Immanuel Quickley… pic.twitter.com/mXGJ4i2ND5

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 15, 2024

As the rankings continue to make the rounds on social media, countless fans have chimed in on Cunningham being placed too low:

I just unfollowed ESPN pic.twitter.com/ADSxKn0SJW

— Playoff City (@playoffcity) October 15, 2024

Those ESPN rankings always are questionable but Cade at 67 might be the worst individual ranking theyve ever done

— KENNY BEECHAM (@KOT4Q) October 15, 2024

Nah this is blasphemy…no way all these guys are better than Cade Cunningham lol https://t.co/7VH55cFaCW pic.twitter.com/yVOBADvwVO

— Eric Vincent (@IAmEricVincent) October 15, 2024

Players ranked ahead of Cade Cunningham (#67) in ESPN’s Top 100:

Immanuel Quickley (64)
Coby White (58)
Dereck Lively (56)
RJ Barrett (53)

I’m confused. pic.twitter.com/ZnXzz13Idx

— Jack Kelly (@pistons_jack) October 15, 2024

ESPN got “Dereck Lively” over Cade Cunningham in their top 100 list LMAO the disrespect is crazy 🤦‍♂️

— Mob (@MobHoops) October 15, 2024

After playing just 12 games in 2023, Cunningham still managed to take a step forward in his development last season. He put up the best numbers of his young career, averaging 22.7 PPG and 7.5 RPG across 62 matchups. Coming off a fully healthy offseason, the Pistons should contiue to build off his strong 2024 campaign this season and beyond.

So far in the preseason, Cunningham has shown flashes that a breakout year could be ahead. He nearly notched a triple-double against the Suns on Friday night, posting a stat line of 25 points, 12 rebounds, nine assists, and two steals.

Between getting another year in the league under his belt and the Pistons improving this offseason, the pieces are in place for Cunningham to make "the leap" in 2025. If he's able to do so, this subpar ranking could look even more egregious in a couple months.