Cade Cunningham and the Pistons hit the road Tuesday night for their season opener against the Chicago Bulls at 8:00 p.m. EST.
The team will be missing a key piece to start the new campaign. Starting shooting guard Jaden Ivey is sidelined for at least four weeks following a minor knee procedure, pushing his season debut well into November.
In Ivey’s absence, newcomer Duncan Robinson is expected to step into the starting lineup when Detroit faces Chicago.
Robinson brings something the Pistons desperately need – elite shooting.
The 31-year-old sharpshooter joined Detroit this summer in a sign-and-trade deal with Miami that netted him a three-year, $48 million contract keeping him in Motor City through 2027-28.
“GAME DAY MOOD,” the Pistons’ official Twitter account posted Tuesday morning, capturing the excitement despite Ivey’s absence.
Robinson’s path to NBA success is pretty remarkable. After going undrafted, he carved out a solid seven-year career with the Heat, appearing in 423 games with 283 starts. During his Miami tenure, he averaged 11.3 points while establishing himself as one of the league’s most dangerous three-point threats.
How dangerous? Robinson has shot an impressive 39.7% from beyond the arc throughout his career.
His ability to space the floor should complement Cunningham’s playmaking perfectly. Cade regularly dishes out 10+ assists while scoring 20+ points per game, and now he’ll have a legitimate catch-and-shoot target on the wing.
The timing of Ivey’s injury isn’t ideal for a Pistons team hoping to start strong this season.
Robinson’s shooting becomes even more valuable considering Ausar Thompson’s well-known shooting limitations. Thompson’s creativity and driving ability paired with Robinson’s outside shooting could actually create an interesting dynamic in Detroit’s backcourt.
Some fans have already embraced the veteran additions to the roster. One Pistons Twitter account recently suggested a nickname for Robinson and fellow veteran Tobias Harris: “Dunc & Unc.”
Robinson was a key contributor for Miami last season, playing in 74 games (37 starts) while averaging 11.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists.
The Pistons will see if their new-look lineup can start the season with a road win when they tip off against the Bulls tonight.
