Viacheslav

Kravtsov

Kravtsov, whose first name can be conveniently shortened to ‘Slava,’ is believed to have signed a multi-year contract, though the exact terms haven’t been disclosed. At 7'0", 260 lbs, he gives Detroit another project center to develop alongside Andre Drummond.

Kravtsov is an intriguing prospect, and after also drafting Andre Drummond, it’s clear that the Pistons are looking to improve the attack along the front line. Joe Dumars confirmed that the Pistons will sign the big man.

You might not have noticed if we didn’t tell you, but the big man will be active against the Grizz.

The Pistons want to see the Ukranian center in action, while Andre Drummond is expected to sit for most, if not all of the game. Kravstov has turned some heads in camp, but it’s going to be hard for him to accrue consistent fantasy value this season in standard leagues.

Vyacheslav Kravtsov is also inactive for Detroit as they take on the Celtics. English was averaging 13 minutes per game in the first six games, but has seen a grand total of one minute in his last four.

“I have to,” he said. “I want to get strong.” A project center who was signed over the summer, Kravtsov still has a long way to go.

“It’s hard to play five bigs; we’re playing four,” Lawrence Frank said. The team is committed to finding more time for Andre Drummond, so it’s hard to believe a project like Kravtsov is going to suddenly earn minutes as well. “This is learning, and this is a big adjustment for Slava,” Frank added. The rookie recently dealt with a back injury, but he’s fine now.

Drummond said that the injury is more to his tailbone than his back, but whatever the exact issue is, it’s pretty clear that he’s not 100 percent. The Pistons play Friday and Saturday against the Bucks and Spurs, and Drummond’s availability for both games is very much up in the air. If he’s forced to sit out either or both, the Pistons will use more of Slava Kravtsov, Charlie Villanueva and Jonas Jerebko.

Drummond aggravated the injury Wednesday night and said after the game that his back has been “terrible” in recent days. The Pistons are still listing him as day-to-day and his status for the team’s back-to-back on Friday and Saturday is very much up in the air. If Drummond misses one or both of those games, expect Slava Kravtsov, Charlie Villanueva and Jonas Jerebko to divide up his minutes.

Vyacheslav-sanity! It wouldn’t be a strange line without the 2-of-10 mark from the foul line, and no, this is not a run to the wire moment in any format.