Detroit Pistons: 3 roster battles to watch in 2018-19

3. Backup PF

Griffin is firmly locked in as the starter. With Anthony Tolliver joining the Minnesota Timberwolves and Eric Moreland released, there is a major opening behind him. Jon Leuer is presumably the favorite, assuming he’s not traded to clear cap space. Henry Ellenson has the higher upside of the two, but he is still extremely raw right now.

Leuer only played eight games last season. Before that, he had played back-to-back seasons where he shot nearly 50 percent from the field. He’s also a career 33.5 percent shooter from 3-point range, which isn’t great, but it is above Ellenson’s 31.6 percent. Leuer may not end up on the roster when the season starts, but he is currently the more finished product as things stand.

Ellenson has failed to crack the rotation through two seasons. He’s only played a total of 57 games and 475 minutes. The team drafted him to be their stretch-4 of the future, but he hasn’t been given the run to do that.

That could change this season under Casey. He has the athleticism to be a two-way force at the power forward position. However, as long as Leuer is on the roster, he will need to make great strides before he earns that spot.