The Detroit Pistons made a savvy move to acquire John Collins this offseason, and it should add some dynamism to the team’s lineup this year
Last year, the Detroit Pistons went through a series of moments that could be described as a tale of two seasons. In the regular season, the Pistons were able to (mostly) avoid serious injury while gaining chemistry en route to winning 60 games and clinching the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff joined Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren at the All-Star Game, and the Pistons were in a solid position as one of the NBA’s surprise stories.
For most organizations, those accomplishments would have been enough, but the Pistons felt they still had some upward mobility, which is what made their second round departure from the playoffs such a difficult pill to swallow. Detroit had all the necessary components to play like a good team on a consistent basis, but they lacked the balance and optionality that great teams possess in the postseason, which became clear during the Eastern Conference Semifinals loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
In an effort to revamp the squad so that they’ll be more prepared in the playoffs next time around, Pistons President of Basketball Operations Trajan Langdon has had a busy summer with the NBA Draft and free agency setting the table for what will unfold as a new-look Detroit lineup this season.
In terms of the starting five, the biggest change is expected to take place at the power forward position since Tobias Harris signed a two-year deal with the San Antonio Spurs during the offseason. Harris was reportedly unwilling to sign a two-year contract without having both seasons guaranteed, and that was a sticking point between the longtime veteran and the Pistons.
So, Detroit opted to pivot with other fours on the market, and they ultimately engineered a sign-and-trade with the Los Angeles Clippers that was part of a much larger six-team mega-deal. Collins is now under contract for three seasons with a total value of $51 million, though the Pistons could move off of that contract with two years still remaining if they chose to do so.
However, that scenario should only arise if Collins does not fit the type of basketball that will be played in the Motor City. In actuality, Collins’ presence in the frontcourt should open up even more options for the Pistons on the court, and his dynamic nature as a stretch-four who can elevate above the rim for lob plays should give Detroit substantially more options than they enjoyed over the past two seasons with Harris.
Not to disparage Harris’ impact because he was a noted positive force in the locker room from a leadership perspective, but his on-court production was primarily localized to the mid-range. Collins, on the other hand, shot 40.6% from three-point range and has shown the ability to attack both the offensive and defensive glass in the past, so his skill set should give the Pistons more room to operate with a wider playbook at their disposal. Collins can flex beyond the arc to create more space in the paint for Cunningham and Duren to operate, but he can also battle it out down low in grittier situations when called upon as well.
Collins is much younger than Harris while still understanding the rigors of NBA life as a vet, so he’s less of a risk than some other power forwards on the market. Since his contract allows for potential flexibility down the road, that’s another benefit that he will bring to Motown, and he’s a dangerous shooter from the perimeter who also has a highlight reel filled with slam dunks on the break off lobs from his teammates. Overall, that’s an intriguing skill set from a big man who will be determined to help his team take that elusive next step after spending the last two years with the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers.
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