Three years, $51 million! Collins agrees to sign with Pistons, teaming up with Cunningham to chase championship

On July 1, Beijing time, per insider Shams, ESPN sources confirmed that free agent John Collins has signed a three-year, $51 million deal with the Detroit Pistons. This forward newcomer is set to become a new aerial threat alongside Cade Cunningham.

John Collins plays power forward. He entered the NBA as the 19th overall pick in the first round of the 2017 draft, attended Wake Forest University, and averaged 19.2 points and 9.8 rebounds per game in his sophomore season, earning the ACC's Most Improved Player award. He was also named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.

Before joining the Pistons, Collins played for the Hawks, Jazz, and Clippers. He is a top-tier stretch four in the league, combining explosive athleticism with consistent outside shooting. Last season with the Clippers, he shot 40.6% from three-point range, excelling in pick-and-pop situations and corner catch-and-shoot opportunities. His ability to roll to the rim and finish alley-oops is elite, making him a typical pick-and-roll partner. Over his career, he has averaged 15.7 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, displaying strong mobility on both ends—capable of switching onto perimeter players, providing weak-side help blocks, and aggressively pursuing offensive rebounds.

Early in his career with the Hawks, he formed a well-known pick-and-roll duo with Trae Young, consistently posting double-doubles. After stints with the Jazz and Clippers, his shooting further improved, solidifying his role as a functional forward. His weakness lies in traditional low-post defense, as he struggles against bulky centers.

With the Pistons, Collins will become the primary alley-oop target for core player Cunningham, both stretching the floor to open up driving lanes for Cunningham and enriching the team's pick-and-roll schemes. The Pistons thus fill their need for a stretch big man, leveraging his shooting and athleticism to bolster frontcourt depth, adding a reliable and efficient rotation piece for their rebuilding efforts.