Duncan Robinson caught fire in the second half of the Pistons’ comeback win over the Celtics and showed why he’s more than just an expiring contract.
The Pistons signed a sweetheart deal with Robinson in which none of his future years were guaranteed, which makes him a popular name to throw into dream trades at the deadline.
As one of the Pistons’ only big expiring deals, it makes sense, as they’d likely need Robinson’s salary in any big trade they make.
The trade machine maestros are acting like it’s a done deal, and that Robinson’s main value to the Pistons is his expiring contract, which isn’t at all true.
Duncan Robinson’s gravity is a second creator, but he does more
The Pistons will be looking for space and shot creation wherever they can get it, which includes an unlikely source in Robinson.
He’s been known as a movement shooter for most of his career, and teams have to respect him flying off screens, which immediately puts the defense in motion.
Robinson draws defenders with him wherever he goes, so even when he doesn’t have the ball in his hands, he creates for his teammates by forcing the defense to respond to his off ball action.
And credit to Robinson, as he’s added to his on-ball game over the years to take advantage of hard close outs when the shot isn’t there.
Robinson has been able to create advantages off the bounce, where he is an underrated connector with his passing, as we saw late in the game when he set up Javonte Green for a wide open 3-pointer.
He’s also not afraid to pull up in the floater spot, where he was surprisingly good last season, as one of the Pistons’ best shooters from that area.
He’s more important to the offense than just as a shooter, and the Pistons would have a hard time replacing him.
If the Pistons trade Robinson, they almost have to bring back a scoring guard or wing
The Pistons don’t have an immediate replacement for Robinson, as shooting guard Isaiah Joe is more suited for a backup role because of his size.
If the Pistons do end up dealing Robinson at the deadline, there will almost have to be a scoring guard coming back (hello, Kyrie Irving) to replace him, as the Pistons don’t have a ready-made option otherwise.
All of this adds up to Robinson not being nearly as available as people might think. He’ll certainly be included in all the fake trades, but Robinson’s gravity is important for the Pistons’ half-court offense, so it’s not a given that he’ll be traded.
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