Duncan Robinson has added a new layer to his scoring this season, and it’s showing up at the line.
The Pistons wing is getting to the free-throw stripe far more often than he ever has before, averaging 4.1 attempts per game. That’s a huge jump from his previous career high of 1.4, and it’s come with a more assertive approach that’s forcing defenders into mistakes. He’s attacking off the dribble more, still hunting his jumper, and making opponents pay when they get out of position.
The scoring leap has been impossible to miss. Robinson is putting up 18.6 points per game, which is easily the best mark of his career and a big rise from his previous high of 13.5. At 32, he’s not just filling a role anymore; he’s expanding it, and that growth has helped the Pistons’ offense stay afloat while Jalen Duren is out.
What stands out most is how unusual the free-throw surge is for a player known primarily as an outside shooter. Robinson is second on the team in free-throw attempts per game, trailing only Cade Cunningham, and ranks 60th in the league overall.
For a player whose reputation was built on perimeter shooting, that’s a meaningful shift. Big jumps in foul-drawing often signal a scorer taking a star turn, and while it’s still unclear whether Robinson is reaching that level this late in his career, he’s clearly adding more to his game.
That development has also helped him secure major minutes in a crowded Pistons guard rotation. And because his scoring package now includes more ways to pressure defenses, there’s reason to think it could carry over into bigger games and the playoffs.
The Pistons also don’t appear worried about how he’s getting to the line. Robinson isn’t living at the stripe by flopping or chasing contact on every possession. When he draws fouls, he’s usually trying to finish the play, and he’s still dangerous from all three levels.
His 3-point shooting remains elite. He’s hitting almost 46% from deep on a career-high 9.2 attempts per game.
The added driving has opened up easy layups when defenders crowd him, and it’s also created dump-offs for open teammates. The free throws are just another wrinkle, not the centerpiece.
Even with the extra trips to the line, Robinson’s free-throw percentage has dipped slightly, though he’s still converting 83%. For a Pistons team that has struggled at the charity stripe overall, that’s a useful number. If his aggression keeps holding and he gets even more comfortable drawing contact, the percentage could rise as the season goes on.
In Other News...
Daniss Jenkins Is Giving The Pistons A Tough New Decision
Daniss Jenkins has turned a strong start into one of the more interesting roster questions facing Detroit. The guard has given the Pistons steady production, averaging 12.7 points, 4.7 assists and 3.6 rebounds while knocking down 43 percent of his 3-point attempts, and that kind of early impact tends to get noticed quickly in a league that is always looking for useful backcourt pieces.
The tricky part is what comes next. Jenkins is headed toward restricted free agency at seasons end, which gives Detroit control, but not necessarily an easy path to keeping him if the market gets involved or the cap picture tightens. The Pistons also have to weigh the progress of rookie Ebuka Okorie and the contract situation of Paul Reed, which means Jenkins rise may be forcing the front office to think several moves ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Pistons Already Have One Early Reason To Feel Better About Collins
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Collins was never just about talent for the Pistons, either. The appeal was always tied to his availability and the flexibility of his contract, even with the age concern that comes with adding another veteran. For a team trying to stabilize that spot, simply having a player on the floor has been a useful early reminder of why Detroit made the move. [Read more 🡒]
Pistons Suddenly Face A Trade Deadline Decision Fans Can't Ignore
Detroits strong 7-3 start has changed the conversation around the franchise in a hurry. With a healthy stash of draft capital and expiring contracts in hand, the Pistons are in position to be more than patient observers ahead of the Feb. 11 trade deadline. They have put themselves in the mix in the Eastern Conference, and the front office now has to weigh whether to keep building organically or use those assets to accelerate the timeline.
The need is fairly clear: secondary scoring and frontcourt depth would both help a team trying to keep pace with Boston and Philadelphia. Names such as John Collins, Duncan Robinson and Naz Reid have already surfaced as possible fits, which tells you the market is starting to take shape around Detroits needs. The bigger question is how aggressive the Pistons want to be, because the right move could help them chase the top of the standings, while the wrong one could cost them the flexibility that got them here. [Read more 🡒]