Pistons’ Trade for Robinson Backfires as Fontecchio Thrives

Detroit, MI – The Detroit Pistons made headlines this summer when they traded for Duncan Robinson, hoping to pair him with Cade Cunningham as a sharpshooter. However, just one week into the new NBA season, the move appears to be a misstep while Simone Fontecchio thrives with the Miami Heat.

Detroit’s decision stemmed from Malik Beasley‘s unexpected involvement in illegal gambling, forcing the team to find a new shooting option. Beasley had a remarkable shooting season last year, so the Pistons sought comfort in Robinson, known for his explosive 3-point shooting from his time with Miami.

The Pistons executed a sign-and-trade to bring Robinson on board, offering him a deal worth $48 million over three years. Unfortunately, early returns on Robinson’s performance have been disappointing. Over four games, he has logged just 7.1 3-point attempts per 36 minutes, the lowest of his career, and is connecting only 32 percent of the time from deep.

In contrast, Fontecchio, who is averaging 12.8 points per game and shooting an impressive 55 percent from beyond the arc with Miami, has been making a strong case for his value. His improvement comes after a lackluster season where he averaged just 6 points per game.

The Pistons’ struggles are compounded by Robinson’s defensive shortcomings, as he has ranked below average defensively in their rotation. Meanwhile, Fontecchio is showing not only proficiency in scoring but also strong defensive skills, making him a well-rounded contributor for the Heat.

The situation raises questions about the Pistons’ strategy. While Robinson’s shooting may improve over the long run, the immediate evidence points to a lost opportunity with Fontecchio, who could have filled a much-needed role in Detroit’s lineup.

Given Fontecchio’s reasonable $8 million contract and his current performance, it seems the Pistons may regret their offseason decisions. They had the choice to retain him, but frustration from his previous season influenced the trade. As of now, the Pistons will have to navigate the season while feeling the impact of this decision.