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Power ranking the 2018-19 Detroit Pistons: Who tops the list?

By Andrew Brewster

DETROIT, MI - MARCH 07: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors defends against Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons in the second half of an NBA game at Little Caesars Arena on March 7, 2018 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. The Raptors defeat the Pistons 121-119. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - MARCH 07: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors defends against Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons in the second half of an NBA game at Little Caesars Arena on March 7, 2018 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. The Raptors defeat the Pistons 121-119. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 15: Henry Ellenson #8 of the Detroit Pistons handles the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 15, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 15: Henry Ellenson #8 of the Detroit Pistons handles the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 15, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

#15 Henry Ellenson

Yes, the No. 18 pick of the 2016 draft, Henry Ellenson, is my lowest-ranked player on the Pistons. I’m sure some fans will take umbrage with me for putting him behind two rookies, but that’s just where I see him at this point.

Ellenson is a fun player to watch at times. For a big man, his ability to gracefully handle the ball can be a sight to behold. He can take it coast-to-coast with ease and can even create some separation in the post.

However, while his ball-handling is a unique trait, there just isn’t a whole lot else that he provides . He’s one of the worst defenders on the team. For his career, Ellenson has shot 31 percent from three, and 40 percent on 2-pointers. His net rating per 100 possessions is an alarming -17. His PER (player efficiency rating) over the last two years is 9.6 (a league-average player is 15).

His only clear NBA skill at this point is his ball-handling, and that ends up far too often with him getting tunnel-vision and then missing a contested 2-pointer. This year’s Summer League didn’t do him any favors either, where he shot a startling 30 percent on 97 shots.

At this point, it looks like it might be wise for the Pistons to decline his upcoming team option for next season.

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