Eastern Conference Rookies Showing Plenty of Promise So Far

Detroit Pistons' Cade Cunningham (2) smiles with Trey Lyles (8), during an NBA game against the Milwaukee Bucks, in Milwaukee, Wis., on Jan. 3, 2022. Aaron Gash/AP Photo

Cade Cunningham and Franz Wagner are giving the Eastern Conference’s bottom two teams reasons for optimism.

The Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic have seven victories apiece this season, but they also have two of the NBA’s top rookies. Detroit took Cunningham No. 1 overall in last year’s draft, and the former Oklahoma State star has impressed with his all-around contributions. Wagner went to the Magic at No. 8. The Michigan product leads all rookies, averaging 15.9 points per game.