After an extensive college career at Michigan, Duncan Robinson is returning to the Mitten with the Pistons
Over the offseason, the Detroit Pistons brought in a bit of veteran leadership to help compliment the team’s young developing core. One player who snugly fits that bill is shooting guard / small forward Duncan Robinson, who joined the club in July after a seven-year stint with the Miami Heat.
During Robinson’s time in Miami, the Heat formed a competitive bunch that challenged for the Eastern Conference crown on multiple occasions, even reaching the NBA Finals in 2023. Robinson’s marksman ability from the three-point line helped solidify his role on the team, though he also grew into the role of a competent defender on the other end of the court as well.
After settling into his new home with the Pistons, Robinson spoke to the media about the feelings and emotions he has regarding his future in Detroit.
“You know, it's a really fun group, you know, to come out here and have a little, mini-camp, practices and just being able to spend time around guys, getting meals, hanging out, coming to games, supporting these guys,” Robinson told the media. “It's been awesome. You know, it's a great blend of super ambitious young guys, some guys that have been through it before as well. So, yeah, I'm just excited. It's been sort of a whirlwind, but it's been a fun couple of weeks.”
Last season, the Heat and the Pistons battled it out on several occasions during the regular season, with two of those matchups heading to overtime, so Robinson had a look into what type of situation he’d be stepping into with Detroit. And from that brief preview, Robinson came away impressed with Detroit’s big men down low in Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart.
“He's a special talent, man, and I feel like he's gotten bigger, stronger since the season when we played against him,” Robinson said of Duren. “I mean, the sky is the absolute limit in terms of his ability. So I'm really excited to play with him. And Stew as well, just the way that they set screens, create opportunities for guys and both of them are lob threats… So, I'm excited to grow that chemistry, and it'll be fun.”
As Robinson alluded to, the Pistons have a contingent of young, talented players already on the roster, and that includes the big men down in the paint. This season, however, Robinson will have the good fortune of playing alongside Duren and Stewart as opposed to having to score against them.
During his time with the Heat, Robinson hovered right around a 40% clip with his three-point shooting, and the experienced sharpshooter posted two and a half rebounds and nearly two assists per game to round out his contributions. In fact, Robinson averaged 11.3 points per game while down south, so his scoring touch could go a long way in helping fill the scoring gap left by the exits of Malik Beasley, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Dennis Schroder.
The Pistons will begin the 2025-26 NBA preseason with a Monday, Oct. 6 matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies.
For more information on the latest Detroit Pistons team or player news, follow @EricJRutter on X for continued basketball coverage.