With reports that the Detroit Pistons are considering hiring a president of basketball operations for the first time since 2018, a franchise that’s won three NBA championships is as lost as they’ve ever been.
Pistons Presented With Major Offseason Opportunity
The Pistons are coming off of a 14-68 season, the worst in NBA history.
With 36 different starting lineups this season, there was little consistency due to injury and arguable incompetence. Though Pistons head coach Monty Williams is a two-time Coach of the Year, he made several head-scratching decisions. His biggest mistake was his inclination to take the ball out of Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey’s hands and put it in Killian Hayes’.
A detailed teacher, Williams has undoubtedly increased his young team’s basketball knowledge. 2020 No. 2 pick James Wiseman has simplified his game under Williams and may have revived his career because of it. Nonetheless, Williams hasn’t performed well enough in his role to justify him staying long-term, let alone his hefty contract.
“Change might be coming, though. Team and league sources told The Athletic that (Pistons owner Tom Gores) is considering hiring a president of basketball operations to have the final say on all basketball matters. The Pistons haven’t had someone in that exact role since 2018. As for Williams, it appears as of now that he will be back next season, assuming he demonstrates that he can deliver significantly more progress in the development of its team and players.”
If they hire a president, the most popular free agent front executive is former Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers. Whether there would be interest from Myers’ side is up in the air. Nonetheless, given his success in the Bay Area with a team largely built through the draft, he’s an enticing candidate.
The Pistons could also hire an executive from a model organization like the San Antonio Spurs or Miami Heat. If so, Spurs vice president of basketball operations Brent Barry could be in their crosshairs. Heat general manager Andy Elisburg or strategic advisor Shane Battier could be shortlisted as well.
Yet, no matter who they hire, the new regime could decide to make sweeping changes. As a result, the situation in Detroit is best described as “fluid.”
“The ultimate goal for the Pistons, per team and league sources, is to have total synergy from the top down, making the situation fluid in the event Gores does decide to hire a new head decision-maker. Realistically, that person could request to hire his/her own people.”
It’s Not Rocket Science
The Pistons are at a loss and losing, a terrible combination. Nonetheless, they have an opportunity to right their ship this offseason, even without hiring a president. Any lead decision-maker can see that Detroit’s young core doesn’t fit together well.
To that point, trading at least one of Ivey or Jalen Duren will solve their some of their roster redundancies and spacing concerns. Though they have their merits, each has a glaring weakness that makes them expendable.
Ivey is shooting 34.1 percent from 3 as an off-guard and defenders often leave him open beyond the arc. Duren’s off-ball awareness leaves a lot to be desired. In addition, despite his knack for rebounding, his defensive motor is lacking.
Therefore, there isn’t a question of whether they should to trade one of them. Furthermore, they can theoretically package Ivey or Duren with their upcoming lottery pick in a trade for an established star. Armed with a projected $72.9 million in cap space, Detroit can also convince a star to sign in free agency.
One such scenario could see them signing nine-time All-Star Paul George to a maximum contract. The Pistons could also attempt a trade for two-time Giannis Antetokounmpo, who’s in the midst of a draining season. With that said, it doesn’t have to be one or the other. Indeed, Detroit acquiring one of George or Antetokounmpo increases the likelihood the other would happily join.
