The Detroit Pistons are still waiting to see what happens with restricted free agent Jalen Duren, but that did not stop them from making a real splash in free agency. Detroit signed John Collins to a $51 million deal, adding a proven veteran forward to a young roster that just took a huge leap last season.
Collins fills a specific need. He can space the floor, he can catch lobs, he can defend at his position, and he brings playoff experience to a team that has now tasted postseason basketball with Cade Cunningham leading the way.
The Pistons are one of the most exciting rebuilds in the league. They finally have their star in Cunningham. They finally have real depth. Now they are adding pieces that make the whole thing bigger. Collins is exactly the kind of signing a team makes when it is going from up-and-comer to real contender.
The Duren situation looms over everything. He is a restricted free agent, which means the Pistons have the right to match any offer he gets. Some team is going to test that. Detroit is going to have to decide whether to match a big number or let him walk. Collins signing suggests they might be planning for the Duren departure.
If Duren does leave, Collins slots in as the starting power forward or center depending on the lineup. Ausar Thompson at the three. Cunningham at the one. It is a real starting five with athleticism, defense, and enough shooting to keep defenses honest.
Collins has been through it. He was overpaid in Atlanta. He was underwhelming in Utah. Landing in Detroit at a reasonable number gives him a chance to reset his value. He is still just 27 years old, which is easy to forget.
The Pistons under Trajan Langdon and their new leadership have moved with real urgency this summer. They are not overpaying for stars they do not need. They are targeting specific fits and getting deals done. This is what a well-run rebuild looks like.
The Central Division is going to be interesting this year. The Bucks are aging and dealing with Giannis uncertainty. The Cavaliers are in the LeBron sweepstakes. The Bulls are somewhere between contending and tanking. The Pacers made another run last year. Detroit is knocking on the door of being the second-best team in that division.
Cunningham gets another wing to work with. He gets another shooter. He gets another lob threat. Everything Collins does is designed to make life easier for the primary creator. That is going to show up on the offensive numbers.
Detroit is not done. There will be another move. But even if the Pistons stopped right here, they had a very good day.
A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
