Pistons Pick Up Veteran Forward John Collins In Free Agency

John Collins (Image: NBA)

The Detroit Pistons continued their aggressive offseason by signing veteran forward John Collins, adding experience to the frontcourt as the franchise looks to build on last season’s playoff appearance, when they lost in seven games to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Collins agreed to a three-year, $66 million contract with Detroit after becoming an unrestricted free agent. The move gives the Pistons another proven veteran to complement a core led by Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson.

The 28-year-old forward is coming off one of the best seasons of his career with the Utah Jazz. He averaged 19 points, eight rebounds and two assists while shooting nearly 40% from three-point range. His combination of athleticism, rebounding and floor spacing made him one of the more sought-after forwards in free agency.

Collins spent the previous three seasons with Utah after beginning his NBA career with the Atlanta Hawks. During his time in Atlanta, he helped the Hawks reach the 2021 Eastern Conference finals and developed a reputation as one of the league’s most explosive finishers around the basket.

Detroit still has some needs, but adding Collins’ ability to stretch the floor and create driving lanes for Cade Cunningham is a major plus. If Jalen Duren returns, he would provide rim protection and a lob threat. Collins also gives head coach J.B. Bickerstaff more flexibility with lineups.

The Pistons have emphasized adding experienced veterans all offseason. Collins has been praised for his professionalism and his ability to contribute without requiring the offense to revolve around him.

For Collins, the move represents another opportunity to compete for meaningful games after spending the last several seasons on rebuilding teams.

The Pistons believe his experience and versatility can help accelerate their development, while Collins gets the chance to join an organization with rising expectations.

If Collins performs at the level he displayed in Utah, Detroit may have landed one of the most impactful free agent signings in franchise history.