The Detroit Pistons signed Duncan Robinson to a three-year $48 million contract in free agency and would quickly come to regret that deal as other sharpshooters got paid significantly less. Robinson agreed for the fifth-highest average annual value in this free agency class, despite playing just 24.4 minutes per game over the last four seasons. He is a career 39.7 percent shooter. The Pistons needed a Malik Beasley replacement, but overpaying for Robinson is already a mistake.
Robinson only has $2 million guaranteed for the 2026-27 season, so he has $18.8 million locked up from this deal. That is a hefty price to pay for a 31-year-old role player who struggles on defense. Robinson’s role always scales back in the playoffs, but the Pistons are paying him like a starter.
Detroit had several opportunities to add a sharpshooter for less this summer. They would much rather have Luke Kennard, Dorian Finney-Smith, or Sam Merrill at this stage. Those three are making considerably less and offer high-level shot-making.
Pistons regret signing Duncan Robinson
Robinson is set to make $16.8 million in the 2025-26 season. Former Pistons sharpshooter Luke Kennard got a one-year $11 million contract from the Hawks. Kennard is a better shooter and playmaker than Robinson. The new Piston is historically a better scorer, but Kennard is making $5.8 million less this season.
Dorian Finney-Smith has shot over 39 percent from 3-point range in three of the last five seasons and is a far superior defender to Robinson and Kennard. Doe-Doe will make $12.7 million in year one of a four-season pact. He likely wanted to return to Texas, but Pistons fans are left wondering what if.
Sam Merrill shot 38.8 percent over his last 722 3-point attempts and received a four-year $38 million contract. There was shooting available for significantly less, but the Pistons couldn’t resist stealing Duncan Robinson away from the Miami Heat.
The 31-year-old is excited to be in Detroit. The Pistons have the talent to make a playoff run, but they already regret Robinson’s contract. He is making significantly more than any other sharpshooter on the market. Only Kyrie Irving, Myles Turner, Fred VanVleet, and Santi Aldama got a higher average annual value. It was simply an overpay. In the apron era, every penny matters. Detroit can quickly move off his contract, but the pain is already there.
The Detroit Pistons want to make a deep playoff run in the wide-open Eastern Conference. Cade Cunningham is a superstar, and the franchise has plenty of talent around him. Robinson will be a floor spacer and shot-maker. Expect plenty of exciting moments, but there will be much wonder about what could have been, too. Such is life as a Pistons fan in this era, so don't expect things to change anytime soon.