During August’s free-agency window the Detroit Pistons bolstered their perimeter firepower by signing former Oklahoma City guard Isaiah Joe and adding former Clippers forward John Collins, former Bucks forward Taurean Prince, and guard Gary Harris. All four players posted three-point percentages above 40 percent last season, directly addressing the Pistons’ most glaring deficiency after a campaign that ended with a 60-22 record and a No. 1 Eastern seed.
Detroit’s regular-season shooting struggles were evident despite the franchise-record win total. The team posted one of the league’s lowest overall shooting percentages, a weakness that proved decisive in a second-round loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Isaiah Joe contributed 11.1 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists while shooting 42.3 percent from deep, offering a clear upgrade over the wing production that helped the Pistons stretch defenses.
John Collins, Taurean Prince and Gary Harris each exceeded the 40-percent mark from three-point range last season, providing a blend of size and perimeter skill. Collins brings a stretch-four capability that can pull opposing big men away from the paint, while Prince adds veteran wing experience and Harris contributes a slashing style that can open driving lanes. Together, the quartet adds depth to a roster that previously relied heavily on interior scoring.
From a schematic perspective, the new pieces expand Detroit’s pick-and-roll options and give head coach a broader menu of off-ball screens. The added shooters should create more open looks for Cade Cunningham and the core backcourt, while the additional spacing may improve the team’s overall offensive efficiency. Training camp will be the first test of how quickly these players can develop chemistry with the existing core, and early-season games will reveal whether the Pistons can lift their three-point conversion rate.
If the collective three-point percentage climbs into the mid-40s, Detroit positions itself as a legitimate contender for a deep playoff run. If the shooting woes that halted their postseason progress reappear, the Pistons could find themselves back at the drawing board despite the impressive regular-season record. The free-agency moves reflect a focused effort to turn a statistical weakness into a competitive advantage, and the next few months will determine whether the strategy pays off.
