Cade Cunningham Praises Duncan Robinson as Pistons Face Playoff Defensive Question

Duncan Robinson has drawn high praise from Cade Cunningham for his on-ball movement and shooting, but the Pistons now must reconcile that offensive boost with growing questions about his defensive fit in the playoffs.

Duncan Robinson’s role and Cunningham’s endorsement

Cade Cunningham singled out Duncan Robinson as the team’s premier motion shooter, calling him the "best movement shooter" in the league and highlighting how his movement and gravity create opportunities when coming off screens. That endorsement follows a season in which Robinson has emerged as a primary perimeter threat for the Pistons, averaging 12. 3 points per game and knocking down roughly 2. 9 three-pointers each night.

Robinson’s efficiency has been a clear positive: he posts a strong overall shooting rate and performs at a high level as a spot-up option, where he produces about 1. 35 points per possession. Heatmaps in the available context show Robinson converting particularly well from the left wing and both corner three positions, and his willingness to keep the ball moving—combined with the ability to attack closeouts and finish inside—has helped him integrate into the Pistons’ offense beyond pure catch-and-shoot opportunities.

That integration extends to playmaking, too. Robinson’s vision and movement have been credited with finding and feeding post players on the roster, and his veteran presence has been framed as a stabilizing factor for a team that values ball movement and floor balance.

Playoff concern: can Duncan Robinson be targeted defensively?

Despite his offensive contributions, a major development now on the Pistons’ radar is Robinson’s defensive profile. He has been described as arguably the team’s worst defender, and there is growing concern that opposing teams will target him more aggressively in a playoff setting where the game slows and half-court schemes can magnify defensive liabilities.

The track record is mixed: Robinson has historically shot well in postseason settings—career long-range shooting around 40 percent across 70 playoff games—so his offensive output can carry into October and beyond. But the playoff environment also raises the risk that opponents will exploit his limitations on the ball. The team’s ability to "hide" him, a tactic used successfully in previous franchises where he played a key role in deep playoff runs, will be under scrutiny. The Pistons’ surrounding personnel—talented perimeter defenders and interior presence—has been cited as a way to mitigate those concerns, but the question of matchups and targeted pressure remains a central storyline as the postseason approaches.

Offseason swap and the case for Robinson as an upgrade

The Pistons’ acquisition of Duncan Robinson came after plans to re-sign a different outside shooter changed, and the move initially drew criticism from some fans who compared the new addition unfavorably to the prior role player. That early skepticism focused largely on three-point volume rather than on-the-court fit.

In contrast to the player the team had pursued previously—who was noted for heavy three-point volume but limited effectiveness inside the arc—Robinson has offered a more efficient complementary package. He’s shooting a notably high percentage from inside the three-point line, and he has shown an ability to attack closeouts and finish in the lane more reliably. He’s produced roughly 12 points per game on a modest usage rate, a sign that the offense runs through others while still benefiting from his spacing and decision-making.

Those developments help explain why Cunningham and others on the roster have embraced Robinson’s presence. Still, the narrative heading into the playoffs will hinge on whether his offensive gravity can offset defensive matchups that could be designed specifically to exploit him. The Pistons will need to decide how to deploy him and whether lineup and defensive adjustments can preserve his shooting while limiting exposure in crunch-time playoff possessions.

In short: Duncan Robinson has given the Pistons a clear offensive lift and an endorsement from their franchise star, but the team must answer a pressing defensive question before the postseason truly begins.