Who should be on Detroit Pistons’ do not trade list in 2025 offseason?
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The Detroit Pistons have turned to another former Michigan basketball guard to address their need for shooting.
The Pistons agreed to a sign-and-trade with the Miami Heat on Tuesday, July 1, acquiring Duncan Robinson, who will sign a three-year, $48 million deal according to ESPN. In return, they’re sending forward Simone Fontecchio to the Heat.
The deal gives the Pistons salary-cap flexibility: Year 2 is only partially guaranteed and Year 3 is non-guaranteed. It means it might be a one-year obligation for the Pistons, who signed Duncan to an inflated contract to meet sign-and-trade requirements.
The move comes after the Pistons agreed to a two-year, $29 million deal with former Michigan standout Caris LeVert on June 30.
Robinson, a 6-foot-7 wing, was an unrestricted free agent after posting 11 points and 2.4 assists on 43.7% shooting last season, hitting 39.3% on 3-pointers. That was slightly below his career 3-point average of 39.7%, achieved while averaging 11.3 points a game over his seven-year career with the Heat.
His college career started at Division III Williams College before transferring to Michigan prior to his sophomore season. With the Wolverines, Robinson appeared in 115 games over three seasons, becoming a key part of the Wolverines’ run to the 2018 national championship game in his final year with U-M.
Robinson averaged 9.3 points a game while hitting 41.9% of his 3-pointers during his Division I career, but went undrafted. After the draft, he signed a two-way contract with the Heat.
The Pistons desperately needed outside spacing after being forced to move on from unrestricted free agent Malik Beasley, who is in the midst of a federal probe due to gambling allegations. They also lost Tim Hardaway Jr. to the Denver Nuggets.
Fontecchio departs after signing a two-year, $16 million contract to remain with the Pistons last summer. He arrived at the deadline during the 2023-24 season and was a late bright spot in a grim season, averaging 15.4 points on 42.6% outside shooting down the stretch.
Last season was a down year, though, with his 3-point percentage dipping to 33.5% while coming off of the bench. By sign-and-trading his contract, the Pistons carved out enough room to offer Robinson an average salary of $16 per year to pry him away from Miami.
In addition to LeVert and Robinson, the Pistons also have re-signed Paul Reed.
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