NBA and NBPA Negotiations: Why Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham Are the Big Winners

The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) have agreed that Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham and Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic are eligible for all annual awards for the 2025-26 NBA regular season under the collective bargaining agreement’s extraordinary circumstances provision.

The decision, announced on April 16, 2026, means both players can contend for honors such as Most Valuable Player, All-NBA teams, and other season-end awards despite falling short of the league’s standard 65-game minimum qualification threshold.

Cunningham played in 63 qualified games during the season, missing 12 games due to a collapsed lung diagnosed on March 17. Doncic appeared in 64 qualified games, absent for two games in December to attend the birth of his daughter in Slovenia.

The NBA and NBPA stated in a joint release that, after reviewing the totality of the circumstances for each player, they determined both qualified for awards under the CBA’s extraordinary circumstances clause, which allows players to petition for eligibility when extenuating factors prevent them from meeting the game count requirement.

Rather than having their cases proceed to an independent arbitrator, the league and union mutually agreed to waive the 65-game rule for Cunningham and Doncic, streamlining the approval process.

Doncic expressed gratitude on social media, stating he was “grateful to the NBPA for advocating on my behalf and to the NBA for their fair decision.”

The ruling has significant financial implications for Cunningham, who is on track to earn All-NBA honors this season. Making an All-NBA team in 2025-26 would position him to qualify for a super-max contract extension in either 2027 or 2028, worth 35% of the salary cap instead of the standard 30%, provided he makes another All-NBA team in one of those two seasons.

This super-max eligibility does not apply to Doncic, as he was traded to the Lakers during the season and therefore resets his contract timeline under NBA rules.

Meanwhile, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards filed a separate extraordinary circumstances challenge after playing in 60 qualified games, seeking similar award eligibility. An independent arbitrator denied his request, rendering him ineligible for annual awards for the 2025-26 season.

The NBA’s 65-game rule for award eligibility was established to ensure players have sufficient sample size for consideration, but the CBA includes flexibility for unforeseen circumstances such as serious injury or significant personal events.

Both Cunningham and Doncic had strong seasons statistically before their absences. Cunningham averaged notable contributions across scoring, rebounding, and playmaking for the Pistons, while Doncic led the league in scoring with an average of 33.5 points per game, securing his second career scoring title.

The league and union emphasized that their decision was based on a holistic review of each player’s situation, not merely the number of games missed, but the nature and timing of the absences.

This marks one of the rare instances where the NBA and NBPA have jointly exercised the extraordinary circumstances provision to grant award eligibility without arbitration, underscoring the unique circumstances surrounding both players’ seasons.

As the playoffs approach, Cunningham and Doncic will now be included on MVP ballots and All-NBA consideration lists, joining other league stars in the race for postseason honors.

The confirmed next step in the NBA calendar is the commencement of the 2026 NBA playoffs, scheduled to begin in mid-April 2026, with exact matchups and dates to be determined by the conclusion of the regular season.

For continued updates on NBA award races, playoff developments, and player eligibility news, fans are encouraged to follow official league communications and trusted sports news sources.