Duncan Robinson only has $2 million guaranteed under his contract until Jan. 10, but giving him the full $16 million might be the easiest solution Pistons should do. How By Amari Sankoff II of The Detroit Free Press notes that the 32-year-old swingman is in the midst of his best NBA season and has become an integral part of the team’s offense.
Through eight games, Robinson is averaging a career-high 19 points per game on 47.4% shooting from the field and 47.9% from beyond the arc. He consistently shoots from the outside, which gives his teammates more opportunities for action, and he gets to the foul line four times per game, also a career high by a wide margin.
“What I’ve definitely been thinking about this year is trying to be a little bit more tactful in getting to the line and taking advantage of the way defenses play me aggressively — grabbing, holding and giving the refs a chance to see it,” said Robinson. “They don’t always see it, but I’m trying to help them see it. It’s probably been an area of focus. You just have to get them.”
Robinson’s $15.2 million salary next season isn’t guaranteed, but that also looks like a formality. He became one of the Pistons’ most valuable players, increasing his offensive contributions to compensate Jalen Duren‘s absence, and the coach J. Bickerstaff has seen improvements in the way he attacks opposing defenses.
“Because he shoots the way he does, a lot of people overreact to him.” Bickerstaff said. “So now it gives him an opportunity to put the ball on the floor and get to the paint and make contact, which is a great addition to his game. But you’ve seen it continue. He’s not just a one-dimensional shooter. He’s a complete offensive player because he can pass from there, he can score from there, and obviously if you get to the paint, you’re more likely to draw fouls.”
There are more from the Central Division:
- Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen left Wednesday’s game in the first quarter after injuring his right knee, but he doesn’t believe it’s serious, Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com writes in the article only for subscribers. Allen downplayed the injury afterward, and so did the coach Kenny Atkinson said he “kneeled” an Oklahoma City player. Tyrese Proctor twisted his ankle in the fourth quarter and limped out of the arena, Fedor adds. Both players are there listed as doubtful for tonight’s NBA Cup game with Philadelphia. Fedor also claims this Peyton Watson (hamstring) and Jaylon Tyson (ankle) remained in Cleveland on Wednesday as part of the return-to-play plan, but Atkinson said neither injury is a “long-term” problem.
- At st The Bill Simmons Podcastthe former Bucks coach Doc Rivers said Janice Antecumba retained the organization’s yo-yo because of his desire to leave Milwaukee without publicly asking for a trade, ESPN relay. “Janis wanted to leave, but he was Buck. And he didn’t want to be the bad guy.” Rivers said. “He wanted (CEO John Horst and the owner Wes Edens) and those guys said, “We’re trading you,” instead of him asking to be traded. For me, it was a game being played.” In the same podcast, Rivers discussed difficulties Antetokounmpo’s workouts.
- Julia Poe of The Chicago Tribune (subscription link) reviews how concerned Bykov should be approx Matas Bouzelis‘ slow start.