Robinson’s contract is a key part of the discussion surrounding Detroit’s flexibility. He signed a three-year, $47.98 million deal, with $18.83 million guaranteed and a cap hit of $16.83 million for the 2025-26 season. The 2026-27 salary is listed at $15.99 million, but only $2 million of that is guaranteed, while the 2027-28 season is non-guaranteed. This partially guaranteed structure can be attractive in free agency planning, as it allows teams to waive, rework, or trade contracts to adjust payroll or roster composition without losing the core assets they value.
Robinson is more than just his contract value. He is a movement shooter whose gravity on the perimeter helps Detroit’s offense by keeping defenses honest and creating driving lanes for Cade Cunningham. Cunningham performs best when the floor is spaced and defenders cannot overcommit to help defense, a scenario made more feasible when a team has capable shooters surrounding him. Detroit has been building around Cunningham, seeking a balance between shooting and athleticism on the wings and frontcourt.
In addition to retaining Robinson, Detroit has been adding talent to diversify its offensive options. The Pistons reportedly agreed to a three-year, $51 million deal with John Collins. Collins, who shot a career-high 40.6% from three-point range last season with the Los Angeles Clippers, is expected to start at power forward. His presence adds athleticism, frontcourt scoring, and a potential pick-and-roll threat, complementing Robinson’s shooting by widening the Pistons’ offensive toolkit. The pairing of Collins and Robinson aims to make Detroit more difficult to defend, offering multiple pathways to create open looks and sustain offensive pressure.
The Robinson decision sits alongside ongoing discussions about Jalen Duren’s future with the franchise. Duren, a restricted free agent, remains a pivotal piece for Detroit’s long-term plans. The team will need to navigate cap space, asset management, and roster balance as it pursues a path that maximizes the development of its core players while remaining competitive in the near term.
Overall, Detroit’s approach reflects a strategy of building a versatile, spacing-friendly offense. By keeping Robinson in the mix and adding Collins, the Pistons are pursuing a combination of shooting gravity and frontcourt versatility. This combination aims to keep lanes open for Cunningham and provide the team with multiple options in ball movement and shot creation. As offseason moves continue, Detroit will assess how these pieces fit together and how they can best balance immediate competitiveness with long-term growth.
