Injuries have sidetracked Jon Leuer‘s career but the Pistons will likely need him to provide minutes at both frontcourt spots during the upcoming season, Keith Langlois of Pistons.com writes in his latest mailbag. The Pistons have only two true centers and three power forwards on the roster, including Leuer, Langlois notes. He missed most of last season with an ankle injury that required surgery in January, then underwent a knee procedure this summer for a meniscus injury that occurred during a workout. He is expected to be ready by opening night.
We have more on the Pistons:
- Bruce Brown, one of two second-round picks from this June’s draft on the roster, will have a successful season if he proves he can play multiple positions, Langlois writes in a player profile. Brown will likely spend most of the season playing for the G League’s Grand Rapids Drive, where he could develop his skills at both wing positions and point guard. Offensively, he needs to improve his perimeter shooting and become a better finisher in the paint, Langlois adds.
- Glenn Robinson III will soon have lunch with Dwane Casey to discuss his role at length but the former University of Michigan standout has a pretty good idea what his new coach wants, Langlois reports in a feature story. Robinson signed a tw0-year, $8.35MM contract with Detroit after an ankle injury wrecked his 2017/18 season with the Pacers. “We’ve got a spread offense,” he said. “My ability to shoot and help our big guys, Dre (Andre Drummond) and Blake (Griffin), my ability to defend, those are the main things I’ve been focusing on this summer – really knocking down that shot for us, being able to make plays for others, but also defending.”
- Robinson and second-year wing Luke Kennard are the team’s most likely breakout candidates, Langlois opines in his mailbag posting. The timing could be just right for Robinson to emerge as an above-average wing, given his skill set. Kennard shot 40% from the 3-point line as a rookie despite his rotation spot being in flux. Casey’s penchant for spacing and ball movement should play to Kennard’s strengths, Langlois adds.
Casey hasn’t had a shooter quite like Kennard yet (poor man’s jj) will be neat to see if he uses him like a jj/Korver to distract defences, or if he will just want another kick out spot of guy like Glen Rob.
Casey has to focus in doing all it can to maximize the talent of Blake & Drummond if they wanna make it to the playoffs, it would be helpful too if they could get rid of Jackson.
They win with Jackson. He’s just prone to injury & not there. If Jackson stays healthy they’re a winning team, but but but
If they do trade Jackson, i think someone like Corey Joseph would do wonders for a team like the Pistons.
Billy Winters I agree, we need as much spacing as possibly for Andre and Blake, I feel if they can get rid of Jackson and get a good shooter at the 1 it would be great for the Pistons