When the Detroit Pistons signed Duncan Robinson this summer, they put some non-guaranteed years in his contract, and some people still debated whether or not the price point was worth it. But through the first chunk of the season, in which the Pistons have surged to the top of the East, he has made the contract well worth it, and it seems obvious that Detroit should guarantee the last two years of his contract.
Robinson’s contract is only guaranteed for $2 million, but the full deal will be guaranteed on January 10, 2027. As for the third and final year, that is fully non-guaranteed, but it becomes completely guaranteed on that same January 10 date, but in 2028.
Based on the early returns of Robinson’s time in Detroit, it seems like a no-brainer that they should try to keep him around for the long haul.
Duncan Robinson has been perfect for Pistons
Robinson has been a brilliant fit with the rest of the Pistons’ lineup thus far. He’s been struggling a bit on the defensive end, though that was to be expected, but his offense has completely elevated Detroit’s play on that end of the court.
Throughout the course of his career, he’s established himself as one of the best three-point shooters in the league, and maybe one of the best in NBA history.
After a couple of relatively down years the Miami Heat were ready to move on. They got Simone Fontecchio back, and he’s been solid for them this season. But Robinson has completely revived himself in Detroit.
So far this season, Robinson has appeared in 20 games for the Pistons, starting all of them and playing 32.1 minutes per game. That is the most minutes per game of his career, and he’s playing the second-most on the Pistons this year, behind only Cade Cunningham.
He is averaging 12.6 points, 2.9 rebounds 2.2 assists, and 1.0 steals while shooting 43.8% from the floor and 40.1% from behind the arc on 7.6 three-point attempts per contest.
Robinson is taking more threes per game than he has since the 2021-22 campaign with Miami, and that season was also the last time he shot above 40% from deep range.
He is creating a ton of space for Cunningham, as opposing defenses have had to account for his three-point gravity when they are guarding the Pistons on that end of the court.
There is no question: The Pistons should absolutely keep Robinson around for the remainder of his contract if he keeps playing like this.