The Detroit Pistons worked out a savvy deal with John Collins earlier in the work that will serve to give the squad quite a bit of roster flexibility in the future
As has become evident over the last two years, Pistons President of Basketball Operations Trajan Langdon is nothing if not pragmatic. Since assuming the role of the Detroit Pistons’ de facto general manager, Langdon has made it a point to keep as many options on the table as possible for his team, and that’s a tendency that’s popped up again during this offseason.
Within the last week, the Pistons reached an agreement to bring free agent power forward John Collins to the Motor City, although there is still a possibility that this will materialize as a sign-and-trade with the Los Angeles Clippers over the next week or so. But in doing so, Collins agreed to a three-year deal worth $51 million, and it was done in such a way that would give the Pistons any exceeding amount of leverage over the final two seasons of that contract.
According to Omari Sankofa of the Detroit Free Press, Collins’ new deal with the Pistons is only guaranteed for the first season, which means that Detroit could effectively wash their hands of the deal after the 2026-27 campaign if they choose to do so. Now, it is currently unclear if the Pistons will actually go down that road since a lot of that decision will be predicated on Collins’ performance for the upcoming season, but it is an important caveat that gives Langdon and the Detroit organization further optionality and flexibility in the financial department that has become absolutely crucial in the modern NBA.
The Pistons worked a similar detail into Duncan Robinson’s contract last season, but all signs point to the veteran remaining in Motown after eclipsing the 40% mark from three-point range last season. Collins, much like Robinson, is a strong shooter from beyond the arc and also hit that same benchmark in the 2025-26 season, so chances are that Collins will perform in a fashion that will make his value to Detroit glaringly obvious.
As a stretch four who is seven years younger than Tobias Harris, Detroit’s starter for the last two years, Collins also is an athletic big man who has serious above-the-rim game. On tape, Collins has a plethora of lob finishes on his highlight reel, which is another facet of his athletic profile that Harris no longer possessed. And while Harris’ is widely considered to be one of the more reliable power forwards in terms of mid-range shooting, Collins is no slouch in that area either with a 50% hit rate to his credit.
When in the restricted area, Collins connected on his field goal attempts 75% of the time, which bodes well for a Pistons squad that relied heavily on scoring in the paint. But when that mark is paired with his mid-range and three-point shooting percentage, Collins boasts an all-around body of work that is difficult to compete with when compared to other fours across the league.
Last year, the Pistons ranked in the bottom half of the NBA in terms of regular season shots from beyond the arc, but Collins should help elevate their standing in that category without sacrificing much (if any) production in the mid-range without Harris on the roster. So, Collins will cost about the same as Harris over the next two seasons considering the latter signed a two-year, $31 million contract with the San Antonio Spurs, but Detroit’s new power forward is both younger and possesses a more consistent touch from long-range.
On paper, that is a win for the Pistons, but the decision to move on from Harris looks even better considering that the 35-year old was unwilling to sign a deal with non-guaranteed years as part of the agreement. Collins, on the other hand, did not have the same reservations, and he’s part of an offseason agenda list for Detroit that has an undercurrent of roster flexibility for the future.
For more information on the latest Detroit Pistons team or player news, follow @EricJRutter on X for continued basketball coverage, but while you’re here, join Pistons Roundtable for FREE and become a contributing member to our community today. Also be sure to look up Roundtable - Michigan Men Media on Facebook for continued social media coverage of all the sporting teams in the Mitten.
