3-on-3: Reaction to the Detroit Pistons drafting Henry Ellenson
The Pistons pick Henry Ellenson at No. 18 in the 2016 NBA Draft
1. Picking outside of the lottery for the first time since 2009, the Pistons went the boom-or-bust route by drafting the big man out of Marquette at No. 18. So, uh, what do you think?
Braden Shackleford: I love the pick. Last month we couldn’t have even fathomed Ellenson falling all the way to the Pistons — a player many projected in the top-7 picks. Last night, I highlighted Ellenson as a player who might fall to the Pistons and, sure enough, he did. I’m beside myself with enthusiasm over this selection. I coveted Thon Maker throughout the process, but I also didn’t anticipate Ellenson falling this far for most of the offseason. He was my top Pistons prospect on my big board.
Duncan Smith: I think that the Pistons did fine. I don’t think that they really could have done much to screw it up, considering the lack of skill gap between the players outside the top five or so of this draft. They can use some more size considering they only have one really skilled big man over 6-foot-9, so I am definitely OK with this move.
Brady Fredricksen: I’m a fan of Ellenson. I think he showed some flashes at Marquette, but he’s far from a finished product. He’s got an NBA body and the type of skills you want from a stretchy power forward. He probably took too many jumpers and, generally, poor shots at Marquette, but he won’t be in that go-to situation in Detroit. Jalen Rose compared him to Troy Murphy on the ESPN broadcast. I really like that comparison.
2. When you look at the Pistons’ core, you see a need for shooting and defense. Where does Ellenson fit in with Detroit’s current core, six players?
Shackleford: The Pistons didn’t have a true power forward. Ellenson is a true power forward with great size and rebounding ability. Unlike some power forwards, Ellenson is also a gifted play maker who can put the ball on the floor and pass. I really like his fit off the bench early in his career with the Pistons. He’s a guy that I can see starting somewhere down the road for the Pistons.
Smith: Ellenson is raw as a shooter, but given his ability to hit free throws at a good clip for a big man, maybe there’s a chance his shooting from long range can improve. As for defense, time is going to tell if he can hang at the NBA level.
Fredricksen: He won’t be one of the Pistons’ top six players this season, but he certainly has a place within that group going forward. You could argue that Marcus Morris (or, perhaps, Tobias Harris) is better suited coming off the bench. With Ellenson, a true power forward with some perimeter skills, you can see him sliding in smoothly with what the Pistons have built.
3. What is your expectation for Ellenson this season? Do you think he plays a part in helping the Pistons? Is this a year of learning and developing?
Shackleford: I think Ellenson is will be a key part of the rotation at some point next season. I think close to 10 points and six rebounds per game is a realistic expectation for Ellenson, who will have favorable matchups against other second-string players. As I said before, I think his ability to attack off of the drive will really help get the Pistons’ second unit going offensively.
Smith: I think this is a year of learning and development. He could be a real scorer, but I think he has some work to do before he’ll be a real contributor.
Fredricksen: I don’t think he’s going to make a big impact. The Pistons should pursue a better backup option at power forward in free agency and, unless Arron Baynes gets hurt, I don’t see where the minutes are for Ellenson. I do think a year of developing will be good for him. He needs to work on his jumper and, as with any rookie, he’ll need to improve and refine himself as a defender. But maybe with improvements in those areas, he can step in for Baynes in 2017-18?