ShamGM Mailbag: Thanksgiving Edition

In a recurring series for this season, I answer reader questions as acting General Manager of the Detroit Pistons. Send me your questions @shamshammgod on Twitter and use the hashtag #ShamGM to be included on the next edition of ShamGM.

“…Sham?…”

“…Shaaaaaaaam?…”

As sun sneaks into my eyes, my blurred vision finally comes into focus. My fidgety assistant, Duncan Smith, is standing over me with a stack of papers in his hand.

“…Sham?”

“WHAT?”, I replied.

“I just wanted to let you know that you have another set of mailbag questions for this week.”

After enduring three days of strong libations and bountiful meals with friends and family, I somehow found myself in my office at Little Caesar’s Arena and for some reason my assistant was there to greet me on a Saturday morning.

Begrudgingly I sit up from my designer leather couch, move to the cherry wood desk by the window, sip some Voss water, and snatch the mailbag questions from Duncan’s hand.

The Curious Case of Jon Leuer

The first question comes from @DetroitKoolAid, a staunch critic of mine yet also an avid and passionate fan.

Firstly, I’m glad that Detroit Kool Aid clarified his question to be about GM-related activities, and not extracurricular activities with Mr. Jon Leuer.

Although I’ve never spoken to Jon beyond business-related conversation, I feel as though he’d enjoy sipping a crisp cucumber water during a night filled with 1990s-themed board games with Rod Stewart’s succulent voice filling the air in the background…but I digress.

Jon Leuer has been injured with a sprained ankle since the beginning of November. In his absence, the Pistons have gone 7-3 and managed to be the second best team in the Eastern Conference.

Given the success, many fans (including Mr. Kool Aid) have wondered what to do with Leuer when he finally returns to form.

While Leuer has been out, Anthony Tolliver (#TolliverEffect) has been nothing short of phenomenal. Not only has he had a noticeable impact off the court, he’s been one of the best spot-up shooters in the NBA – something Jon Leuer has yet to become throughout his time in Detroit.

Actually, Jon Leuer hasn’t made a three since…wait for it…

April 9th, 2017

Leuer does add value though. In addition to being a decent mid-range shooter, he’s an adequate rebounder, and an average defender. Leuer has a chance to see the floor in instances where he can play the center position. Boban Marjanovic has proven to be incapable of defending stretch bigs and running in transition, both of which Leuer does at an adequate level.

However, Anthony Tolliver will still get the lion’s share of minutes.

Leuer’s replacability also comes into play. Not only is his immediate successor outperforming him as he rests (Anthony Tolliver), his long-term successor is currently lighting up the G-League with 30+ point performances (Henry Ellenson).

With a declining salary until 2020, Leuer may be a trade candidate going forward. While I don’t think he’s a “salary dump” player, I do think the Pistons should look to move on from him as soon as they feel as though Henry Ellenson is NBA-ready, which is predicated mostly on his ability to defend.

Young Diamond in the Rough

It’s now 11 AM in the office. I’m in desparate need of a greasy egg sandwich and a strong cup of coffee for my hang…err…headache.

“Can I go home?”, I asked Duncan.

Duncan nodded his head, “After we do one more.”

Begrudgingly, I take the question from his hand. To my delight, the next question comes from a passionate fan who’s also a fellow Minnesotan like myself.

Now, I’ll be honest here. I have not watched many G-League games, but I do have an excellent scout who’s been following the league very closely. Braden Shackelford has been my right-hand man when it comes to scouting at the professional level, he’s found diamonds in the rough year after year – fetching Henry Ellenson to me a couple years back.

Braden has recommended one player in particular that stood out to me during my personal analysis. James Young, a shooting guard from the Milwaukee Bucks’ G-League affiliate really intrigues me.

Not only does Young sport a blistering 29 points per game on 60 percent shooting, including 51 percent from three, he also has the tools to be a good defender at the next level. Young has a 7’0″ wingspan and has the ability to move his feet and stay in front of his defender.

He would fit in very well with the Pistons. At 6’7″, Young can play both the shooting guard and small forward position, making him a versatile fit alongside the shorter guard tandem in Ish Smith and Langston Galloway.

Being able to shoot effectively from deep seems to be prerequisite for non-Centers in Stan Van Gundy’s system, so Young would fit in perfectly with his 50+ percent from beyond the arc.

As I shut off the lights to the office, I say goodbye to Duncan and wish him a Happy Thanksgiving. I’m looking forward to the Pistons’ success and growth during the course of this season, and that is something I’ll always be thankful for.

Next: Pistons defeat Thunder on Black Friday

If you would like to be featured on the next edition of ShamGM, please follow me and tweet me @shamshammgod with your question and use the hashtag #ShamGM in your tweet.