RealGM

Which Piston will we be happiest about in two years?

I'm hoping Ellenson will be a very good player 2 years from now and in the starting lineup next to Dre.

I voted leuer. I think Ellenson will develop into a solid player, but leuer is in his prime now and he has a definite role right now. He'll compliment Dre and baynes and play small ball 5. He's going to be really important over the next 2 years.
I could say the same for smith. He's in his prime and has his role ready for him.
I don't think the rookies will be as impactful in the next 2 years.

Gotta go with Ellenson, though time frame might be a little tight. I think he all but Red Shirts this season - he needs to get a lot stronger to play with the bigs in the NBA. And as long as we have Dre, Baynes and Boban all rostered, it means Leuer's minutes will all come at the four, behind Tobias Harris.

If we're taking "two years from now" as heading into '18-'19 season, that should be Ellenson's breakout year. I'd see Boban/Leuer as backing up Dre depending on mach-ups, with Ellenson getting all the back-up PF minutes behind Tobias, as we groom him to be a starter when Toby walks as a FA after the season, or we trade him during the season as an expiring or to a team wanting his Bird Rights as we won't plan on keeping him unless he comes cheaper as our primary 3/4 back-up behind starters Stanley Johnson and Henry Ellenson

I voted Ellenson. I suppose I'm still dazzled by the ball fake and one-legged fall away.

I feel like Smith is going to be a such a huge improvement over Steve Blake's corpse that that's the one that's REALLY going to be noticeable at first.

Obviously the hope is that 2 years out the Ellenson move will look like the best, but it'll probably be Leuer.

DETermination wrote:I'm hoping Ellenson will be a very good player 2 years from now and in the starting lineup next to Dre.

That would definitely be our best case scenario.

I'm not sold on him. I don't think the Pistons drafted poorly though, I think he was the best pick at 18. But, I don't know if he has a frame that can add the size needed to compete in the low post for rebounds and position.

Luckily, he's only 19 and will be given room to develop. Hopefully he develops into a quality starting PF. I'm cautiously optimistic.

I went with Leur. I don't think Ellenson will have much of an impact his first two years. I think Ish will be a nice signing for us, but I think Leur's shooting on the second unit is going to benefit Smith and open things up for that second unit.

Leuer. If any of Drummond, Morris, or Harris goes down, he'll fill in. He is in his prime, and this is probably the first time that a team will be invested in him for a significant period of time. We are his fifth team in six years! The focus from the coaching and training staff, now that he's a 42/4 man, could lead to individual development despite his age.
If not, if this is all he is at 27 years old, a consistent role and consistent minutes in a system that he was hand-picked for should lead to some great times, anyway.

I like all the signings, but they're all just reserve players serving their roles. Ellenson is probably the only guy who may start one day, but that will take longer than 2 years. As a result, I went with the guy most likely to win the hearts of the fans...BOBAN! lol

Han Solo wrote:

Holy **** Han this what you do your off days?


Easy answer ellenson

boban 11ppg 6rpg in 20 min....most efficient backup in the NBA

I voted Ish - I think we're really going to like him. My concern with Leuer and Ellenson are that they are essentially going for the same minutes, so for us to be really happy with one of them means that the other faded into the woodwork (or got traded). Which leads me to the next question.......

Leuer. I think he's going to play a productive and efficient role off the bench as a stretch four and five. A true mobile big is a going to be nice to watch with the rest of the pieces on the team.

I was really tempted to say Boban, but he's going to be a bit of a situational player that isn't good defensively. He's not going to be the main backup at center if Leuer plays minutes as a stretch/mobile option so his time will be limited and/or inconsistent. Regardless I really like his potential to give the bench unit an offensive boost though. He's a beast near the basket and has range on his jumper as well. Should be pretty entertaining when he gets in the game.

My vote is Ish.

I don't think people understand how exactly bad Blake was. Ish can drive and kick for days and made some players on the Sixers look like rotational players. His playmaking and looking for shooters will be so valuable.

Ish. When you're replacing Steve Blake it's nearly impossible for the fans to not be happy with you.