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If Detroit Pistons’ Ellenson is legit, what happens to the other fours?

By Braden Shackelford

AUBURN HILLS, MI - MARCH 30: Stan Van Gundy of the Detroit Pistons talks with his team during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on March 30, 2017 at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, MI - MARCH 30: Stan Van Gundy of the Detroit Pistons talks with his team during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on March 30, 2017 at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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If Detroit Pistons second year forward Henry Ellenson keeps playing at the level he has shown in preseason, head coach Stan Van Gundy may have a difficult decision to make regarding what he does with the rest of the fours.

Detroit Pistons’ head coach Stan Van Gundy believes his group of power forwards is the deepest position group on his roster–and he’s absolutely right.

Take a look at the names of players who can play power forward for the Pistons:

Tobias Harris
Henry Ellenson
Anthony Tolliver
John Leuer
Stanley Johnson

Johnson, if I had to guess, will play sparingly at the four this season considering the lack of overall depth behind him at the three. That leaves at minimum four legit contributors vying for what will likely be a three-man rotation.

Through two preseason games, no rotational (non-starter) four has looked more impressive then Ellenson.

If his play keeps up, that could have big ramifications for Van Gundy and his roster.

In the beginning of the offseason, I thought an emergence from Ellenson would be a big solution for the Pistons’ cap space, or lack thereof.

The reason being, is Ellenson is on a rookie deal, and if looks NBA-ready, the Pistons could then evaluate moving Jon Leuer and his near $30 million left on his contract.

However, it looks like Van Gundy may still intend to split minutes at the back up four with Ellenson and Leuer, or even give Leuer minutes as the backup five, in lieu of Boban Marjanovic.

If the former happens, the Pistons would have its three rotational power forwards with Harris, Ellenson, and Leuer, which of course would push Tolliver to a very limited role–something he may be reluctant to accept.

If Ellenson’s play carries over to the regular season, the Pistons will have a luxury of assets at the four–that’s a good situation to be in, particularly in the event of injuries.

Next: It’s early, but Detroit Pistons’ young players look promising

However, I think it could also open the door for Van Gundy to move one of these pieces to look to strengthen other areas on the roster, or clear some cap space.

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