Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham — the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft — plans to have season-ending surgery on his left shin, sources told ESPN on Monday.
Cunningham, who’s been sidelined since November 9, consulted with multiple doctors in recent weeks and ultimately decided with the Pistons and his representatives at Excel Sports to undergo a procedure that’s expected to have him fully recovered ahead of training camp in 2023-2024, sources said.
Cunningham took a month to see if rest and rehabilitation would allow for the shin to improve but made the decision on Monday to move forward with the season-ending procedure.
Cunningham averaged 19.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and six assists in 12 games this season. He was third in the Rookie of the Year voting behind Scottie Barnes and Evan Mobley and was chosen as a first-team All-Rookie a year ago.
Cunningham, the top pick out of Oklahoma State, averaged 17.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.6 assists in his first season — including 21.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.5 assists in the second half of the year, according to ESPN Stats and Information research.
The Pistons are 7-22 and last in the Eastern Conference this season.