{"id":120639,"date":"2025-01-29T09:33:42","date_gmt":"2025-01-29T14:33:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=120639"},"modified":"2025-01-29T09:33:42","modified_gmt":"2025-01-29T14:33:42","slug":"resurgent-lonzo-ball-could-ease-pistons-dependency-on-cunningham","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/01\/29\/resurgent-lonzo-ball-could-ease-pistons-dependency-on-cunningham\/","title":{"rendered":"Resurgent Guard Could Ease Pistons’ Dependency On Cunningham"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Detroit Pistons<\/a> have been one of the biggest surprises of the 2024-25 season. After finishing last in the league with a 14-68<\/a> record last year, they have already surpassed that win total by nine games. The front office made a bold move, replacing Monty Williams with J.B. Bickerstaff. This coaching change has transformed the team, putting them in playoff contention. Currently sitting in eighth<\/a> place, Detroit looks locked in for a playoff push. However, the Pistons chances of securing postseason basketball for the first time since 2018-19<\/a> would improve significantly with one key addition\u2014Lonzo Ball<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Resurgent Lonzo Ball Could Ease Pistons’ Dependency on Cade Cunningham<\/h2>\n

Pistons\u2019 Need for a Secondary Playmaker<\/h3>\n

The absence of Jaden Ivey<\/a> has exposed Detroit\u2019s lack of a secondary creator. With Ivey sidelined due to a broken fibula, the Pistons rely even more on Cade Cunningham<\/a> for scoring and playmaking. This heavy dependency on Cunningham was evident in their recent 110-91<\/a> loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, where they posted a season-low in points.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe miss (Ivey), there\u2019s no doubt about it,\u201d Bickerstaff said<\/a>. \u201cHe\u2019s extremely important to us, what we do, and how we got to where we are now.\u201d<\/p>\n

With the trade deadline approaching, Detroit\u2019s front office must decide whether to address this issue. Acquiring Ball could be the perfect solution.<\/p>\n

Lonzo Ball\u2019s Road to Recovery<\/h3>\n

Ball\u2019s injuries derailed what once looked like a promising career. He missed the entire 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons due to persistent knee problems. Many believed his NBA future was in jeopardy.<\/p>\n

However, Ball made a surprising return during the 2024-25 preseason. After missing 1,006 days, he stepped onto the court and scored 10 points. The Bulls took a cautious approach, limiting his minutes to avoid overuse. Now, in January 2025, Ball has regained his rhythm. He recently started four consecutive games and dropped a season-high 18<\/a> points in a win over the Denver Nuggets.<\/a><\/p>\n

His numbers\u20147.0 points, 3.5 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.6 steals in 20.8 minutes\u2014may not be eye-popping, but they show his ability to contribute. More importantly, his defense, size, and high basketball IQ remain valuable assets.<\/p>\n

Why Pistons Should Target Lonzo Ball<\/h3>\n

Detroit desperately needs another playmaker to support Cunningham. The stats highlight the imbalance:<\/p>\n