Under the Hood: What’s Really Going On With the Pistons’ Offense
The Pistons aren’t just rebuilding - they’re searching for an identity. And while the losses have piled up, there are still moments worth spotlighting. Let’s take a closer look at what’s clicking - and what’s clearly misfiring - under the hood of Detroit’s offense.
A Glimpse of Offensive Creativity
Let’s start with something positive. Head coach J.B.
Bickerstaff has been leaning on a clever set that shows some real promise. It’s a multi-option action that starts with Jalen Duren faking a screen for Cade Cunningham, only to pivot and set an off-ball screen for Duncan Robinson.
From there, the Pistons have multiple looks:
- Option 1: Duncan comes off the screen and fires a three - his bread and butter.
- Option 2: If the defense chases Duncan hard, he can hit Duren on the roll.
- Option 3: Duren, with a head of steam, can attack downhill.
- Option 4: Duren can drop it off to Ausar Thompson in the dunker spot or swing it to Tobias Harris in the corner.
It’s a smart, layered action - one that puts pressure on the defense to make quick decisions. When executed well, it’s hard to guard.
We’ve also seen a variation of this with Isaiah Stewart. In that version, Duncan’s movement around the screen pulls the defense just enough to leave Stewart wide open on a slip for an easy dunk. It’s a great example of how off-ball movement and shooting gravity can create high-percentage looks - even for players not known for their range.
The Shooting Gap: A Major Roadblock
But here’s where things start to break down. This team doesn’t just need shooters - it needs players who want to shoot threes. There’s a big difference between someone who can shoot from deep and someone who lives behind the arc.
Take Malik Beasley last season: 71% of his shots came from three. Duncan Robinson this year?
An even more extreme 78%. Those are guys who understand their role and lean into it.
Now look at Detroit’s current rotation, ranked by minutes played, and the percentage of their field goal attempts that come from beyond the arc:
- Cade Cunningham - 30%
- Duncan Robinson - 78%
- Jalen Duren - 0%
- Tobias Harris - 37%
- Ausar Thompson - 6%
- Isaiah Stewart - 32%
- Ron Holland - 36%
- Caris LeVert - 48%
- Javonte Green - 56%
- Jaden Ivey - 52%
- Daniss Jenkins - 40%
Outside of Duncan, the next most frequent three-point shooters are Javonte Green and Jaden Ivey. That’s a problem - not because those guys can’t shoot, but because it shows a lack of dedicated floor spacers in the lineup.
Meanwhile, in a recent game against Phoenix, Collin Gillespie and Grayson Allen combined for 23 three-point attempts and knocked down nine. That’s three more makes than the entire Pistons roster managed in the same game.
And it’s not just volume - it’s intent. The Suns have multiple players who are looking to shoot from deep on nearly every touch.
Spacing Issues: A Repeating Theme
This isn’t just about percentages - it’s about spacing philosophy. Watch enough Pistons possessions, and you’ll see a recurring issue: players not fully committing to spacing the floor, especially in transition.
There was a moment against the Kings that tells the story. Tobias Harris, instead of filling the corner on a fast break, ran into a crowded paint - clogging the lane and removing a potential passing outlet. It’s a small decision that has a big ripple effect.
Now contrast that with the Suns. On a similar possession, Grayson Allen sprints to the corner and sets up for a wide-open three.
He doesn’t hesitate. Even when he doesn’t get the ball, he’s creating space and stretching the defense.
Same goes for Gillespie - you’ll see him run straight to the corner with his hands up, ready for the catch. That’s floor spacing with purpose.
A Quick Look Under the Hood: Suns vs. Pistons Shooting Profiles
Let’s compare the Suns’ top five in minutes played and the percentage of their shots that come from deep:
- Devin Booker - 30%
- Dillon Brooks - 41%
- Grayson Allen - 67%
- Royce O’Neale - 81%
- Collin Gillespie - 64%
Outside of Duncan Robinson, none of the Pistons are anywhere near that level of three-point focus. If you dropped Allen, O’Neale, or Gillespie into Detroit’s rotation, they’d instantly become the team’s most dedicated shooters.
What Needs to Happen Next
If the Pistons want to take a step forward offensively, they need more players who prioritize the three-point line - not just as an option, but as a primary weapon. That means adding shooters who don’t hesitate, who space the floor with intent, and who force defenses to stretch out.
With the trade deadline looming, Trajan Langdon has a clear need to address. This roster needs another true floor spacer - someone who can help unlock driving lanes for Cade, create room for Duren in the paint, and give this offense the kind of breathing room it desperately lacks.
Until then, the Pistons will keep grinding. There are flashes of structure, flashes of creativity. But without shooters who live beyond the arc, it’s hard to fire on all cylinders.