The Pistons didn’t bring in John Collins just to be another athletic finisher floating around the edges of the offense. They brought him in because his game has a layer that can change how Detroit attacks: post scoring.
Everybody knows Collins can punish defenses above the rim and stretch the floor with his 3-point shooting. That part is obvious. What makes him more intriguing for the Pistons is the part that doesn’t always get the same attention - his ability to work smaller defenders in the post and turn mismatches into points.
That skill matters because Detroit is looking for more juice next season, and Collins gives them a different kind of pressure point. He has already shown he can attack mismatches in the post, including last season with the Clippers. Put that scoring package next to Cade Cunningham, and the Pistons suddenly have a forward who can finish plays, punish switches and do more than just occupy space.
The fit with Cunningham is where this gets really interesting. Detroit will likely lean on Collins in pick-and-roll action because he’s such a strong play finisher from the power forward spot. That gives the offense a new wrinkle compared with Tobias Harris, who was a strong post scorer but not nearly the same kind of finisher.
Of course, once a team starts leaning into that kind of action, defenses will start drawing up answers. One simple option is to blitz Cunningham and force the ball out of his hands.
Cade has been turnover-prone before, though he did make strides with his ball security last season. Even so, that’s the kind of coverage he’ll keep seeing next season and in the playoffs, so the Pistons need him to keep tightening that part of his game.
Switching is the other obvious counter. Cunningham is 6'6", so he often draws bigger wings already, and those defenders should be able to hang with Collins too.
That’s exactly where Collins has to cash in. If Cade forces a switch, Collins should have chances to seal smaller players and go to work on the block.
Detroit can also ask Cunningham to attack the mismatch himself after a switch, but having another scorer to lean on matters. It gives Cade a breather and gives the offense another reliable option when games get tight. If Collins can consistently punish those switches, the Pistons get a cleaner go-to action and a way to take some of the load off Cunningham in playoff settings.
Collins has the kind of profile that can make this work. He entered the league in 2017 with elite athleticism and a highlight reel full of poster dunks, but his game has matured. Heading into his age 29 season, his role looks a lot clearer and a lot more useful.
He should also know exactly what Detroit needs from him. After watching Tobias Harris over the past two seasons, Collins has a blueprint for how a forward can help this team. Harris’ post scoring and shot creation were a major crutch for the Pistons in last season’s playoffs, especially when Cunningham was off the floor.
That’s the lane for Collins. He doesn’t have to be the center of everything.
If he embraces being a supporting piece who finishes plays, rebounds and defends, Detroit can get real value from him. Add in the occasional post-up, and the Pistons may have found a player whose most underrated skill ends up being one of their most important offensive tools.
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Durens side of the ledger looks much trickier for the Pistons. After a disappointing playoff showing, he is reportedly pushing for a max extension, even as Detroit has every reason to be cautious about committing that kind of money right now. For a young center still trying to prove he can anchor winning basketball when the games get tighter, the gap between what he wants and what the team is willing to discuss could define the next stretch of the offseason. [Read more 🡒]
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For Jenkins, the appeal is obvious: if his game takes a real step forward, he could make himself more than just another young piece on the roster. The Pistons would love that kind of growth on the floor, but it would also mean a tougher call when it comes time to talk about his next deal, especially with the team trying to preserve flexibility for the contracts still ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Paul Reed Is Suddenly Central To A Huge Pistons Question
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The fit matters because Detroit wants to keep its edge in the paint while also taking a step forward in the postseason, and Reeds preparation suggests he already understands the stakes. He has also been active on social media revisiting the Pistons-Cavaliers playoff series, a sign that he is already thinking about what needs to change, even if the bigger answer to how he handles the expanded role is still to come. [Read more 🡒]