Duncan Robinson and Defying Gravity
Duncan Robinson shot by Zariq Turner for BULLYBALL, October 29th 2025
Only five other people ever had a three-point shooting season like Malik Beasley.
The eighth most threes made in an NBA season.
One of the most accomplished shooting seasons in NBA history, and the player whose production was pivotal for the greatest single-season turnaround of all time, may just be gone almost as quickly as he arrived.
On July 6, 2024, Malik Beasley signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the Detroit Pistons.
Fast forward, one day before the 2025 NBA free agency period began.
June 29th, 2025, ESPN’s Shams Charania reveals Beasley is under federal investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York.
His status and contract with the team were put on hold.
Although this isn’t a Malik Beasley article, to say that these reports haven’t greatly impacted the Pistons’ short-term and potentially long-term outlook would be diminishing the impact he truly had on the Pistons’ season in totality.
From his on-court shooting and scoring to his obvious off-court chemistry with the Pistons’ young core, his presence is greatly missed within the organization.
However, with reportedly no insight into the situation, the Detroit Pistons’ President of Basketball Operations, Trajan Langdon, was left with his hands tied.
With only one day's notice, how can he find a substitution for one of the greatest shooters on the globe?
Enter Duncan Robinson.
Robinson, a career 39.7 % three-point shooter on 7.2 attempts per game, is as close to Beasley's career 39.1% on 6.4 attempts as you can get.
Malik Beasley vs the Nuggets, 2025— shot by Zariq Turner for BULLYBALL
Shooting Gravity vs. Three Point Variance
It would be quite difficult to find a Pistons fan unhappy with the outcome of last season.
The additions made by the front office weren’t big splashes, but the veteran leadership and playing experience gained were apparent.
From the win total to the work environment.
From player development all the way to individual production.
Having NBA veterans and professional marksmen in the building alongside the Pistons’ young core changed the outlook of the franchise.
Last season, despite all the organizational improvements, an apparent lack of offensive structure led to the Pistons’ non-Cade half-court offense turning to a dependency on three-point variance.
Possessions with very little or no rim-pressure, player movement, and offensive stagnation became frequent.
It seemed as if every time down the court, each action was a Cade PnR or off-ball screen for the corner shooter.
While high-level three-point shooting and its gravity will forever be a valuable asset for NBA teams, the aforementioned three-point reliance and variance can largely impact games.
Ideally, the additions of Caris LeVert as well as the eventual return of Jaden Ivey will mitigate some of these creation issues.
Robinson can play alongside more established creators without much dip in shooting, but also gives you an additional skillset.
Offensive outlook and expectations
Duncan Robinson at Pistons open practice (2025)—Shot by Zariq Turner for BULLYBALL.
The Miami Heat, much like the Pistons, is a very heavy dribble handoff (DHO) focused offense. Mostly constructed around their star center, Bam Adebayo.
While the Pistons’ offense is still largely centered around high pick-and-rolls between Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren, a lot of their secondary and offside action last season flowed into DHOs with their secondary/tertiary shooters and creators.
When running offense through a DHO hub, off-ball creators are able to receive the ball on the move, often putting chasing defenders in a compromised position.
If defenders chase over the screen, the off-ball player can curl and attack the two-on-one scenario with the roller, or pull up with the defender trailing behind.
In a scenario where a defender goes under the screen, the pull-up jumpshot will be open and available.
Beyond Spacing: Defying Gravity
Robinson's ability to create offense by manipulating his shooting gravity adds another element that may actually open up the offense, despite the departures.
There is always a fine line between volume and efficiency. Though both Malik Beasley and Duncan Robinson shoot a lot of threes, but also make them at a very high clip.
Both of these players are amongst the most elite players in regard to shooting the basketball and single-handedly altering opposing defenses’ game plans.
The Pistons severely lacked offensive stability last season, outside of Cade Cunningham generated buckets and movement three-point attempts.
When defenses sold out on shooters, they often relied solely on shotmaking.
The lack of offensive versatility as the season became more apparent as the season crept towards the postseason.
Defensive closeouts became stronger, shooting windows closed quicker, and shot creation became a necessity.
From downhill driving and playmaking out of DHO, closeout scoring and decision making, to more standard on-ball creation situationally.
Over the course of his career, Robinson has displayed elite offensive versatility that makes him an exciting addition for the Pistons.
While not an answer to a still unsolved equation, Robinson should be able to bring that movement shooting, but also with the additional creation value.
The ability to curl screens, attack the rim, and create plays is a needed addition.
From dump downs and lob passes to the roller out of an abundance of DHO actions, Robinson has the potential to create a unique dynamic with the ever-evolving Duren before the season’s end.
It may not be a move that changes the course of the franchise, and plenty of players in the league may have strong shooting gravity, though few can “defy” it as well as Robinson can.