The Detroit Pistons look to build off the momentum from last season as they try to establish themselves as a true contender in the Eastern Conference. Even though they weren't able to make the big offseason splash that fans were hoping for, there is no reason why the Pistons couldn't repeat last season's success at the bare minimum.
To exceed expectations and win a playoff round, the Pistons need to get more out of their newcomers compared to the departed veterans. Dennis Schroder, Malik Beasley, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Simone Fontecchio are no longer with the team, and the Pistons replaced them with Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson. How the latter performs in his age-31 season will go a long way in determining how far Detroit goes next season.
With how much he is paid, however, Robinson has to play significantly better than he has over the past few seasons.
Duncan Robinson Will Be the Most Overpaid Piston Next Season
While Robinson fills a very obvious need for the Pistons as a Malik Beasley & THJ replacement, Detroit paid a pretty penny to acquire him. The former Heat sharpshooter signed a three-year, $48 million contract this offseason in the sign-and-trade that sent Fontecchio to Miami.
It's important to note that Robinson's contract is not as bad as it looks on paper, as only $2 million of his remaining salary is guaranteed beyond the 2025-26 season. The Pistons could easily move off Robinson if he disappoints in his first season.
At the same time, the veteran small forward will still make $16.8 million for the 2025-26 campaign. For a non-starter with serious defensive concerns who doesn't do much other than shoot the ball, that is a significant investment.
Shooting is a premium skill in the NBA, and the Pistons desperately needed to find it. Robinson is a very good shooter, but he is also not among the elite shooters in the league, failing to hit the 40% mark in the last four seasons. The seven-year vet will certainly help Detroit, but it's hard to imagine him contributing at a $16.8 million per season level, making him the most overpaid player on the roster.
Whether this was the best use of resources by GM Trajan Langdon remains to be seen.