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 has been sidelined since Nov. 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 for the 2023-24 season, 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 6 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 season 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 season, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.
The Pistons are 7-22 and last in the Eastern Conference this season.