CLASH: Paolo Banchero and Cade Cunningham fight for their place atop the NBA

We have released the Locked on NBA Top 100 list ahead of the 2025-26 season. Paolo Banchero came in at No. 23, certainly within striking range of the elite of the NBA. Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham cracked the top 20 at No. 15. Are these rankings fair? What is in store for two of the brightest stars in the NBA?

Ku Khahil of Locked On Pistons joins the show to break down where Cunningham has improved to launch into the top 20 and where Banchero still needs work.

Will either take the next step and help their teams advance in the Eastern Conference?

0:00 Intro: Locked On NBA Top 100 released

5:01 Cade Cunningham's ranking and improvement

10:12 Paolo Banchero's development and challenges

15:16 Franz Wagner's impact and underrated status

21:55 Comparing Paolo and Franz's playing styles

28:40 Eastern Conference landscape and team expectations

34:26 Magic and Pistons' potential in upcoming season

38:50 Closing thoughts on Magic and Pistons' outlook

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

5-Hour ENERGY

Tee up that trip! Enter for a chance to win a dream golf trip for two to any golf tournament* in the USA. Visit 5HEWIN.com for full rules and entry. No purchase necessary. Excludes the Master’s tournament. Ends October 31, 2025.

Monarch Money

Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNBA at monarchmoney.com/lockedonnba for 50% off your first year

FanDuel

Right now, new customers can bet just FIVE dollars and if your bet wins—you’ll get THREE HUNDRED dollars in bonus bets to use across the app. Download the FanDuel app now by visiting FanDuel.com to get started

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.