A panel of 10 NBA analysts compiled the top 100, and Cunningham was the only Pistons player ranked. Every team had at least one player ranked, and the Jazz, Nets and Wizards joined the Pistons with one representative. The Knicks, Pelicans, Thunder and Timberwolves topped the rankings with six each, and the NBA champion Celtics had five.

Cunningham led the Pistons in scoring (22.7) and assists (7.5) — both career-highs — last season, when Detroit managed just 14 wins. He is entering his fourth season.

“Cunningham’s already come a long way from his rookie season where, despite high averages, he struggled heavily with efficiency,” wrote CBS Sports’ Jasmyn Wimbish. “He’s coming off a career year, but his performance went largely unnoticed because he played on a 14-win Pistons team. That’s a shame, too, because Cunningham displayed all the tools of a franchise player. He shot the ball incredibly well from everywhere, including 35% from 3-point range, which was an important breakthrough in his development. He also ranked ninth in the league among guards in potential assists, showing that he’s making the right passes and reads; his teammates just aren’t making the shots.”