The NBA world is buzzing with debate after ESPN analyst and retired player Kendrick Perkins made a bold proclamation: Cade Cunningham, the Detroit Pistons’ dynamic guard, has leapfrogged Luka Doncic and now sits among the top five players in the league. That’s no small statement, considering Doncic’s established superstar credentials and the relentless competition at the top of the NBA hierarchy. As the 2025-26 season barrels toward the playoffs, the conversation around Cunningham’s meteoric rise and Doncic’s evolving role has become one of the most compelling storylines in basketball.
Perkins, never one to shy away from strong opinions, made his case on February 21, 2026. According to him, the NBA’s elite is now defined by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, followed by Cade Cunningham and Jaylen Brown. Luka Doncic, who for years has been considered a perennial MVP candidate and one of the league’s most electrifying talents, was bumped to sixth in Perkins’ eyes. “It’s SGA, Giannis, Jokic and guess who’s right there next after them? It’s Cade Cunningham. Cade Cunningham has just leapfrogged Luka Doncic as far as top five players in the NBA in my eyes. Jaylen Brown is in that conversation right now as well. You know why? Forget the point that he gave them 40-piece off flats, it’s the eight rebounds, it’s the 13 assists, and Cade Cunningham plays both sides of the basketball. Jaylen Brown plays both sides of the basketball,” Perkins declared, as cited by ESPN and various NBA outlets.
Perkins’ rationale? It comes down to all-around impact. He argued that both Cunningham and Brown offer more on both ends of the court than Doncic, whose defensive shortcomings continue to draw criticism. While Doncic is leading the league in scoring at an eye-popping 32.8 points per game during his first season with the Los Angeles Lakers, his defensive effort remains a sticking point. Many pundits—and fans—have noted that despite his offensive wizardry, Doncic is still seen as a liability on the defensive end, something Perkins was quick to highlight.
Meanwhile, Cunningham’s ascent has been nothing short of remarkable. After battling through injuries in his first three years with Detroit, the former No. 1 overall pick has blossomed into the undisputed leader of a Pistons squad that has shocked the league. As of February 21, 2026, Detroit boasts the best record in the NBA at 41-13 and is expected to finish as the Eastern Conference’s top seed. The Pistons’ rapid rise from rebuilding project to championship contender has put Cunningham squarely in the MVP conversation, even if he’s still considered an outside shot compared to favorites like Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic.
“Cade Cunningham has just leapfrogged Luka Doncic as far as top-five players in the NBA in my eyes,” Perkins reiterated on The Road Trippin’ Show, emphasizing the Pistons guard’s two-way play. “Jaylen Brown is in that conversation as well. And Cade Cunningham plays both sides of the basketball. Jaylen Brown plays both sides of the basketball.”
There’s little doubt that Cunningham’s impact goes well beyond the box score. In a recent statement game, he led Detroit to a convincing win over the New York Knicks, notching a stat line that included 40 points, eight rebounds, and 13 assists. Performances like that have fueled the Pistons’ surge and earned Cunningham widespread praise from analysts and peers alike. The fact that Detroit reached the top of the East faster than anyone anticipated only adds to the narrative of Cunningham’s breakout.
But is Perkins anointing Cunningham too soon? That’s a question many are asking. Doncic’s résumé is hard to ignore—he’s already led the Dallas Mavericks to an NBA Finals appearance and two Western Conference Finals, cementing his place as one of the league’s most clutch performers. Jokic, Gilgeous-Alexander, Antetokounmpo, and Brown have all won championships or MVP awards, proving themselves on the sport’s biggest stage. For Cunningham, the next step is clear: he must deliver in the playoffs as the Pistons’ top seed to validate the hype and Perkins’ lofty ranking.
The competition in the Eastern Conference is fierce. As of late February, Detroit sits atop the standings, but three teams are nipping at their heels, each posing a significant threat as the postseason looms. The pressure is on for Cunningham—not just to maintain his regular-season brilliance, but to translate it into playoff success. As Perkins himself noted, “Cunningham must have a strong playoff run and advance deep as the top seed to make my words ring true this season.” Should he stumble, critics will be quick to pounce, and the debate over his place among the NBA’s elite will only intensify.
Of course, it’s not just about individual accolades. The Pistons’ resurgence has energized a fan base that has endured years of rebuilding and disappointment. Cunningham’s leadership, poise, and growing confidence have turned Detroit into a legitimate title contender—something few predicted at the start of the season. His ability to impact both ends of the floor has set a new standard for what the Pistons expect from their franchise player. “If Cunningham leads the Pistons to a title this season, this would be a different conversation,” observed NBA journalist Ryan Ward, underscoring the high stakes attached to Detroit’s playoff run.
On the other side, Doncic’s move to the Lakers and his league-leading scoring average have kept him in the MVP mix, even as questions persist about his defense. The Slovenian superstar dedicated himself to getting in shape this offseason, hoping to silence critics and take his game to another level. Offensively, he’s been as dominant as ever, but the Lakers’ fortunes and Doncic’s legacy will ultimately hinge on postseason success and his ability to contribute on both ends of the court.
As the regular season winds down, the MVP race remains wide open. Gilgeous-Alexander is the strong favorite, even as he battles injury—he can miss up to eleven more games and still qualify for the award. Jokic is right behind, but has less margin for error in terms of games missed. Cunningham and Brown are viewed as outside contenders, with Doncic still in the mix thanks to his offensive exploits. The race is as competitive as ever, and every game down the stretch will matter.
The coming weeks promise high drama as the league’s best jockey for playoff position and individual honors. Will Cunningham’s all-around brilliance and Detroit’s surprising dominance carry over into the postseason? Can Doncic silence his doubters and prove he still belongs in the NBA’s top five? The answers will shape not just the MVP race, but the very narrative of the 2025-26 NBA season.
For now, the conversation is far from settled. As Perkins’ comments continue to spark debate, the pressure mounts on both Cunningham and Doncic to deliver when it counts most. With the playoffs on the horizon and the stakes higher than ever, NBA fans are in for a wild ride.