The Detroit Pistons have struck a deal with John Collins, a 28-year old power forward with an extensive above-the-rim profile with three-point gravity to boot
Since the NBA has officially entered the free agency period, teams across the league are working in overdrive to add various pieces that they believe can improve their squads. For the Detroit Pistons, that means making decisions about Jalen Duren, Tobias Harris and Javonte Green after re-signing Kevin Huerter to a three-year deal.
Earlier today, it was announced that the Pistons, who obtained the top seed in the Eastern Conference last season, had reached an agreement with nine-year vet John Collins, and the 6-9 power forward should immediately slot in as Detroit’s starting four. At one point during the offseason, Pistons President of Basketball Operations Trajan Langdon mentioned that he would like to bring Harris back to the Motor City, but Collins was signed to a much cheaper three-year deal, and he’s obviously much younger at 28 years old as well.
Last season, Collins played for the Los Angeles Clippers and earned a start in 56 of the 69 games that he played in during the regular season, averaging 13.6 points, 5.3 boards and 1 assist per game. But when looking at his career as a whole, Collins traditionally cleans the glass at a much higher rate with 7.7 rebounds per game to his credit.
Although Collins’ scoring numbers may appear modest at first, the new Piston owns a highlight reel that’s jam-packed with lobs and above-the-rim plays. Last season, Duren was Detroit’s primary lob threat with Cade Cunningham running the show, so Collins’ addition ensures that the Pistons can still target those plays during the upcoming season even if JD ends up with another team.
From a defensive perspective, Collins is a reasonably stout defender who has the ability to guard anyone from the three to the five, so that flexibility should be a boon to a Pistons squad that rotates heavily on a game-by-game basis. In fact, Collins averages 1 blocker per game and 0.6 steals each night, so the former Clipper certainly can contribute to the hard-nosed defensive unit that the Pistons assembled last season.
But on top of those defensive chops, Collins is an incredibly strong three-point shooter who posted a 40.6% connection rate from downtown last season. As a whole, Collins is a three-and-D power forward with serious above-the-rim game, and the Pistons will undoubtedly benefit from that skill set.
While Detroit’s acquisition of Collins should have signaled that the squad was moving on from Harris, 35-year old signed with the San Antonio Spurs earlier today as well to mark the end of Tobias’ second go-around in Motown. Though Harris was positively received by both his teammates and the coaching staff, the longtime veteran is irrefutably on the back nine of his career, so it makes perfect sense for the Pistons to bring in a power forward who they can rely on for several years to come.
Even though Duren’s contract situation has earned the majority of the headlines for Detroit’s offseason activity, identifying a long-term four was a paramount concern for the Pistons this summer, and Collins is a much younger, cheaper option who can add some size and strength to the Detroit frontcourt.
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