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Detroit Pistons open Summer League against Milwaukee Bucks

By Brenden Welper

ORLANDO, FL - JULY 1: Henry Ellenson #8 of the Detroit Pistons handles the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2017 Summer League on July 1, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - JULY 1: Henry Ellenson #8 of the Detroit Pistons handles the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2017 Summer League on July 1, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Las Vegas Summer League begins on Friday afternoon. The Detroit Pistons will face the Milwaukee Bucks in their opener at 7 p.m. on NBA TV.

The first, in-game action of the Dwane Casey era will begin on Friday night, when the Detroit Pistons meet the Milwaukee Bucks at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas.

Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. on NBA TV.

Detroit will be without shooting guard Luke Kennard, who suffered a left knee strain during Monday’s practice. Kennard was expected to operate as the primary ball handler. But that experiment will have to wait.

His absence should give rookie guards Khyri Thomas and Bruce Brown an increase in touches offensively.

For those two, it’ll be their first taste of NBA-level basketball. Roster spots are rarely guaranteed for second-picks. So their performances in Summer League will help dictate their respective roles moving forward.

Expect Thomas, a defensive stalwart, to guard Bucks’ rookie (and former Big East rival) Donte DiVincenzo on the perimeter. That’ll be the match-up to watch.

Eye on Ellenson

Joining them on the roster is third-year power forward Henry Ellenson. The 21-year-old will be competing in his third-consecutive Summer League.

Despite being drafted 18th overall in 2016, Ellenson has played just 57 games in two seasons with the Pistons. In that limited floor time, he’s averaged 3.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game on 36.3 percent shooting.

Look for him to be a significant part of Detroit’s offensive attack. Prior to being drafted, the hope was that Ellenson could eventually develop into a consistent 3-point shooter.

So far, he’s shot 33.3 percent in his first two seasons. While his opportunities have been few and far between, that percentage will have to increase in order to adhere to Casey’s philosophy.

Also of interest will be Ellenson’s defense, which was part of the reason why Stan Van Gundy was so hesitant to play him. The forward struggled to contain his man away from the ball. Ellenson doesn’t have great foot-speed either, and it’s difficult for him to move laterally.

Last season, he allowed 0.993 points per possession (PPP) on defense. When guarding the roll man against pick-and-rolls, Ellenson gave up 1.588 PPP – which speaks to his lack of mobility.

Next: Where do the Pistons rank with other teams in Detroit?

You can view the entire Pistons’ Summer League roster right here.

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