Duncan Robinson’s departure from the Miami Heat will impact the team in ways that extend far beyond just an emotional pull. Losing arguably the best 3-point shooter in team history, who was still arguably in his prime, was not an easy pill for the fan base to swallow this offseason. And his likely heart-wrenching return to Miami will be on November 29.
The Heat will have two more meetings with the Pistons, and a second one in Miami on March 8.
Facing the Pistons will be difficult for the Heat on multiple levels this season. For one, there's no question that seeing Robinson, a player the Heat found and then developed, will be difficult to digest. Secondly, getting used to the upstart Pistons as a legitimate threat in the Eastern Conference will take some getting used to as well.
Considering that the Heat could be in for a "trying" season in what many expect to be a "gap" year for the franchise, it could be hard to see Robinson thriving for a Pistons team that could factor into the title picture in the East.
How the Heat will replace Duncan Robinson
But it just won't be difficult for the Heat to replace Robinson's presence from a feel-good perspective, but it will be equally as hard to do so on the court. Robinson was the Heat's best 3-point shooter a year ago, and there's no one natural player on the roster who could fill that role.
There's probably a handful of contributors that will need to step up if the Heat aren't going to take a huge step back in terms of shooting this season. There's a mix between Simone Fontecchio, Pelle Larsson, and Haywood Highsmith that will have to step up for Miami.
If Miami doesn't feel comfortable with the shooters they currently have on their roster, I suppose they could always sign a player like Alec Burks with their final roster spot. But, at least for now, it does appear as if the Heat are going to roll the dice with the players they currently have on their roster.
As much as it may be easy to question the Heat's decision to part ways with Robinson, the fans must trust it at this point.
Replacing Robinson will be no easy task for the Heat, and watching him on a contending team like the Pistons could be a new level of torture that the fan base may not be completely ready for.