Detroit Pistons: 3 players who are already expendable

1. Jon Leuer

Another one of Van Gundy’s acquisitions who may not have a place in the Pistons’ new plans is 29-year-old power forward Jon Leuer.

Leuer signed a four-year, $42 million contract with the Pistons in 2016, a deal that has two years left on it and pays him $10.0 million this season. Leuer only played in eight games last season due to an ankle injury. In his last full season (2016-17), he averaged a career-best 10.2 points to go with 5.4 rebounds per game.

Leuer will go into training camp competing for minutes with third-year project Henry Ellenson at the 4-spot behind Detroit’s most decorated player, five-time All-Star and four-time All-NBA selection Blake Griffin. Ellenson hasn’t been very good in his first two years as a pro, but the franchise seems to have a lot invested in the development of the 21-year-old former lottery pick.

Assuming he returns healthy from the ankle injury, Leuer is more productive than Ellenson. However, Ellenson has more upside potential. His skill-set is closer to the point-forward model that Casey has already said he wants Griffin to play like — which means Leuer might not be the best fit for what the franchise wants to do.

If the Pistons can find another team to take on Leuer’s sizable contract and help them gain some financial flexibility for the future, he could be the first Detroit player to go this season.