The Detroit Pistons are signing longtime Miami Heat sharpshooter Duncan Robinson to a three-year, $48 million contract, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. Detroit will send Simone Fontecchio to the Heat in a sign-and-trade for Robinson. Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press is reporting that the second year of Robinson’s deal is partially guaranteed while year three is non-guaranteed.
UPDATE: Year 2 for Duncan Robinson is partially-guaranteed. Non-guaranteed Year 3. https://t.co/5LOWfvrq8f
— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) July 1, 2025
Detroit’s addition of two movement shooters last offseason (Tim Hardaway Jr., Malik Beasley) helped elevate its offense to playoff levels. Robinson will serve as a replacement for Hardaway, who is signing with the Denver Nuggets, and Beasley, whose future remains uncertain due to ongoing gambling-related investigations.
Robinson has been one of the NBA’s best off-ball shotmakers for years, converting 39.3 percent of his 13.5 3-point attempts per 100 possessions last season (99th percentile three-point volume). He’ll space the floor for Cade Cunningham and add some value as a secondary offensive option when Cunningham sits.
Running Robinson off of screens opens up passing chances for him, and he’s a strong enough passer to find defensive gaps and punish opponents who sell out against his shot. Detroit ranked just 22nd in 3-point frequency with Beasley and Hardaway around last season. Miami finished 15th or higher in 3-point frequency every season of Robinson’s career.
Grade: A
After signing Caris LeVert to add complementary ball-handling, the Pistons did well to land a different type of wing player. Smartly, Detroit avoided tying up much long-term money with Robinson via the partially guaranteed second year and non-guaranteed third year, both of which minimize the risk of this deal. Nonetheless, he should add value to a Pistons team looking to contend sooner rather than later.
Head coach JB Bickerstaff has a solid track record of improving players’ defensive baselines. That benefits a shaky on-ball defender like Robinson, who adds most of his value as a shrewd helper and a solid positional defender.
To maximize their chances of winning with this current core, the Pistons needed more complementary offense around Cunningham and more viable options with him off the floor. The additions of LeVert and Robinson will help them accomplish that goal.
