Did Drake name-drop Pistons star Cade Cunningham in new song? Examining viral claims

Cade Cunningham is the latest NBA player to have his name dropped into the lyrics of a Drake song. The Canadian rapper teased a new song called "Shopping Spree" earlier this week and fans honed in on one verse that included the Pistons All-Star.

Drake has a history of including the names of NBA players in his songs, but Cunningham's inclusion comes as a surprise.

"Sleeping in the Pistons locker room I'm on another mission," said Drake in "Shopping Spree". Cade Cunningham left his Crocs, yeah I f****d you in them."

Drake has been associated with NBA players around the league, hanging out with them at parties and attending games throughout the season. The Toronto native is a regular attendee at the Scotiabank Arena when the Raptors are in town and has had his fair share of viral moments with the brightest stars in the league, including Steph Curry, Kawhi Leonard and LeBron James.

Drake also promoted Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's first signature shoe, the SHAI 001, on his Instagram page, supporting his fellow Canadian ahead of the release of the shoe this fall.

Cade Cunningham isn't the first player to be name-dropped in a song by Drake

Drake has been a popular figure in the rap world for more than a decade, and has referenced top players like Steph Curry, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and Vince Carter in his songs.

Curry was name-dropped in the song "0-100/The Catch Up."

"I been Steph Curry with the shot. Been cookin' with the sauce, Chef Curry with the pot, boy."

Durant, meanwhile, was referenced in Drake's "Weston Road Flows."

"A lot of people just hit me up when my name is mentioned. Shout-out to KD, we relate, we get the same attention."

Drake's inclusion of Cunningham's name could be a sign that the Toronto native has been impressed by his ability to lead his team from the bottom of the Eastern Conference to the playoffs.

After tripling their win total from last season, the Pistons are one of the dark horses in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. If Cunningham and Co. can translate their regular-season play into the postseason, they could make a deep run.