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Looking at the Detroit Pistons’ front-court unit

By Jeffrey MacCowan

DETROIT, MI - MARCH 26: Blake Griffin #23 and Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons reach for the rebound during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 26, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - MARCH 26: Blake Griffin #23 and Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons reach for the rebound during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 26, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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It appears that the Detroit Pistons are done in free agency.  So how are the four and five positions going to stack up this season? Who will back up Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond when they need to rest?

The Detroit Pistons should look to maximize the veteran presence on the floor this coming season.

This should especially be happening in the front court, with big men like Jon Leuer and Zaza Pachulia. Henry Ellenson was the veteran in Summer League, but will this be the season where he begins to shine?

Here’s a look at each of the backup power forward options, as well as the backup center.

Power Forward

The Pistons will be looking to start Blake Griffin at the four this year, which should not be a shock to anyone.

The shock may be who ends up backing him in the rotation. The two players that are natural power forwards, Henry Ellenson and Jon Leuer, will be looking to fill that spot.

Leuer is coming off of a season-ending injury last year, which caused him to miss all but the first eight games. He averaged 17.0 minutes per game while only scoring 5.4 per contest. The biggest question about Leuer is how he will recover from the injury.

Henry Ellenson appeared in 38 games last year, but only averaged 8.7 minutes a night. In that time, he was able to produce 4.0 points per game.

Ellenson is coming off of a roller-coaster performance at this year’s Summer League. He showed that he could shoot the basketball at times, but not on a consistent basis.

Center

Detroit’s All-Star center Andre Drummond will be starting once again. So who might earn the backup role?

One of Detroit’s few free-agent signings this summer was two-time NBA champion Zaza Pachulia.

Last season, the 34-year-old appeared in 69 games with the Golden State Warriors, starting 57 of them. He averaged 14.1 minutes a night, while scoring 5.4 points and grabbing 4.7 rebounds per game.

Throughout his career, Pachulia has shown he can be an average defender, scorer, and rebounder.

So, who should be coming off the bench?

The Detroit Pistons should look to begin the season having Leuer come off the bench at the four and Pachulia at the five.

This gives them a big-bodied center down low, and a stretch four to be on the wing. If an injury occurs to either player, or perhaps they begin to struggle, Ellenson should then step in. He could serve as the young spark off the bench that might prove to be useful.

Next: Pump the brakes on Glenn Robinson III

Pistons fans, who do you think should be back up Griffin and Drummond this season? Join in on the conversation in the comment section below!

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