The Detroit Pistons didn’t make many moves this summer. In fact, they’re still trying to bring back Jalen Duren, who is a restricted free agent. But the biggest move they did make was bringing in John Collins, who will likely replace Tobias Harris in the starting lineup. Cade Cunningham needs some very specific things from Collins next year.
First and foremost, Collins needs to be a great pick-and-pop partner for Cunningham. He just needs to space the floor in general. He’s been a good shooter for the last few years, but he hasn’t always been. And on top of that, Cunningham and the Pistons need Collins to rediscover his rebounding roots so they can dominate the possession game.
Collins was the Pistons’ biggest addition of the summer, and if they want to be a top seed in what will be a stronger Eastern Conference, he needs to play like it.
Cade Cunningham needs John Collins to make threes and get rebounds
In the playoffs last season, it became painfully clear that the Pistons’ offense was their biggest problem. Heading into next year, they need everyone to lock in to that side of the ball.
For Collins, that means a few things. Obviously, he’ll need to be a lob threat and finish at the rim, but above all else, he’ll need to knock down his threes at a high rate.
Harris was a solid player for Detroit, but he was never the best three-point shooter. That’s where Collins could help change the look of the Pistons’ power forward position.
If he can step in and knock down 40% of his threes, it would be a great help to Cunningham. The two could run the pick-and-pop, and Collins could even act as a corner shooter for the Cunningham-Duren PnR.
The rebounding will be crucial, too. Early in his career, Collins was an elite rebounder. He was a solid offensive rebounder as well, and that’s where the Pistons need him.
Detroit should focus on winning the possession game. The Pistons don’t have a ton of offensive firepower, so if they want to succeed, earning as many possessions as possible will be crucial.
If Collins can get back to dominating the glass on both ends, it would seriously help with that goal, especially if Duren is doing the same thing right alongside him.
For Cunningham’s sake -- and the sake of the Pistons -- Collins needs to knock down his threes and attack the glass. Those should be his main priorities.
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