Duncan Robinson gave the Pistons plenty last season, but the next step is staring him right in the face: defend better, or watch his role shrink.
Detroit’s wing picture is about to get more crowded, and that puts Robinson under a brighter spotlight heading into next season. He was a fixture in the lineup a year ago, starting 77 regular-season games and 11 more in the playoffs.
That kind of usage usually buys a little security. In Robinson’s case, it only buys time if the defensive issues start to fade.
The offense is never really the question with him. Robinson’s shooting opened things up for Detroit all season, and his ability to stretch the floor gave the Pistons another weapon even when the stars carried the biggest load.
He stayed active, kept defenses occupied and knocked down plenty of threes. That part of his game still matters.
The problem is what happened when the other team had a choice. Too often, Robinson was the defender opponents wanted to see in the action.
On a roster built to survive that weakness during the regular season, Detroit got away with it while piling up 60 wins. The playoffs exposed the softer spots.
That was especially true in the 2026 postseason, when Paolo Banchero kept coming at Robinson in the first round and the Cavaliers’ star backcourt did the same in the second round. The Magic made that tactic work particularly well because they did not have many other dependable offensive options against an elite Pistons defense.
Robinson kept his starting job last season because nobody else on the roster could match his shooting. That could change now.
Isaiah Joe is set to push him not just as a shooter, but as a cleaner defender too. If Robinson doesn’t make real progress on that end this summer, the minutes and starts could disappear as the season goes on and the playoffs draw closer.
The contract situation adds another layer of pressure. Robinson has hardly any guaranteed money for next season and none for the year after that.
If Detroit decides the $15 million price tag is too steep, it can move on with very little fallout. That means he is not only competing for playing time - he is competing to stay on the roster at all.
There are still reasons the Pistons haven’t moved on already. At 6'7" and 215lbs, Robinson has the size to avoid being an easy target for stronger drivers, even if his quickness remains a problem.
And if Detroit can cover some of his weaknesses with a more creative defensive scheme, he can hold up better than some think. Still, the biggest thing on his checklist is simple: improve his discipline and stop giving away unnecessary fouls.
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