Detroit Pistons player preview: Expectations for Henry Ellenson
![Henry Ellenson #8 of the Detroit Pistons (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) Henry Ellenson #8 of the Detroit Pistons (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/39b730d310abf72d8db048362197e20401d40b9dc827e4e71fa7e20d0c1ebb2a.jpg)
Predictions
Right now, I can’t see Henry Ellenson being more than the 11th man on this team.
While I’m very low on Jon Leuer, and uncertain if Zaza Pachulia will make it through the entire season upright, I can’t see the coaching staff putting Ellenson ahead of either guy when they look at the game film and overall experience factor.
It’s difficult to pair him with a front-court mate that masks his terrible defense. He and Blake Griffin would surrender a lot of points, while he and Leuer would be a sieve.
That limits his time even more, as the coaches would want him on the floor with Pachulia or Andre Drummond only. The 11th man on a Dwane Casey team, however, still means Ellenson is in line to average at least 15 minutes per game – as every 11th man has done over the past 3 seasons in Toronto.
Even if he does end up being the 12th man, that’ll be a major improvement for his playing time. Last year, Toronto’s 12th man, Lucas Nogueira, averaged 8.5 minutes a night last year across 49 games.
My best guess for Ellenson’s numbers next year would be right in between that:12.3 minutes, 5.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.5 blocks, and 0.2 steals per game.
As for his shooting percentages: 43.4 percent from 2-point range, 36.1 percent from the 3-point line, and 83.5 percent from the free-throw line.
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What do you expect from Henry Ellenson in his third season with the Detroit Pistons?
Let us know in the comment section below.