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The Detroit Pistons’ Conundrum at the Forward Positions

By Mike Riina

Apr 5, 2017; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Marcus Morris (13) yells at referee Ron Garretson (10) during the third quarter against the Toronto Raptors at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Raptors won 105-102. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2017; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Marcus Morris (13) yells at referee Ron Garretson (10) during the third quarter against the Toronto Raptors at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Raptors won 105-102. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Detroit Pistons have a forward problem going into the offseason. What should they do with their current situation at both forward positions?

The Detroit Pistons have a problem. Too many forwards. Both varieties. Power forwards as well as small forwards. Moreover they have a problem of too many middle-tier forwards and no clear-cut starters at either position.

Tobias Harris is the Pistons’ best forward offensively, but leaves much to be desired defensively. Marcus Morris is maybe the best all-around forward. He’s not as good on offense as Harris but he is a little more reliable defensively. There’s talented shooter Henry Ellenson, as well as sophomore (now entering third year) Stanley Johnson and also Jon Leuer. Plus Reggie Bullock who has often been listed as a small forward in his career. Typically he plays shooting guard for the Detroit Pistons so I will leave him out essentially. But that helps to illustrate my point.

Now herein lie the issues. Tobias Harris is a small forward playing power forward. Some may argue that he’s too big or slow to chase smaller players at small forward. But he’s also too small, not physical enough to guard a bigger power forward and doesn’t rebound well enough either. Neither player is a superior rebounder and they are listed at the same size. I can understand making them interchangeable as they have been, based on match ups. However, I assert that they would be better suited starting in each other’s place.

Related Story: Tobias Harris season in review and grade

The best true power forward on the team is Jon Leuer. In no real scenario can that be conducive to a winning formula. He’s a solid player, yes. Hopefully he’ll regain his early season form from a year ago. But he is an NBA backup, so can he be a place holder for the player Henry Ellenson might become?  And can Henry Ellenson develop his body and defensive game enough to be a rotational NBA player? These things are way up in the air.

That leaves us with Stanley Johnson. Often maligned by coach Stan Van Gundy for his effort in preparation and seriousness to be an NBA pro, he has a good upside defensively but has proven to be a little mistake-prone on the court. So what, if anything, can be done about this problem?

It’s not a secret that the Pistons have no cap room. Nor is it a secret that they’ll match most any offer for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.  Unless they can pull off a trade that would move a big contract to get a big return at small forward or power forward, chances are they’ll be stuck with the very same forward group they have now. If that’s the case (and it’s likely), again I propose swapping Morris for Harris and making Harris the starting small forward and Morris to start at power forward.

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Why start Harris at small forward?

As I stated earlier Morris MAY be a little quicker at chasing opposing small forwards. But realistically the benefit from that versus Harris checking them is probably negligible. What would probably help more on a team that struggles to score is Harris’ more efficient three-point shooting.

Again, even though they are the same size Morris is also the more physical player. A preferred trait when guarding  “inside” power forwards. More importantly, having arguably your best player (Harris) playing out of position seems counter productive. Harris should be a major focal point of the offense when the starters are on the court. Nearly any time he’s on the court he’s capable of getting buckets.

Johnson,  Ellenson and Leuer would back them up based on matchups. Leuer is the more solid power forward now but the Pistons are notorious among their fan base for not developing their young players. I hope this time they will do that diligently with Stanley Johnson and Henry Ellenson.

Regardless how it plays out with the backups, I feel swapping Morris and Harris while keeping Harris in the staring lineup would be beneficial to the team.

Next: Reevaluating a possible Boston Celtics trade

Truthfully, aside from these slight lineup changes one of the best things the Detroit Pistons could do would be to package either Leuer or Harris with the No. 12 pick and go for an all star at either position in return. But that’s an idea for a whole other article.

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