Front office losses are testament to Detroit Pistons’ progress
The Detroit Pistons made the playoffs last season and competed hard with the eventual NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers. Their success last season–and position for success this season–has the other NBA teams on notice as another front office member is drawn away from Detroit.
The Detroit Pistons have now lost two front office members this offseason. The first to go was Ken Catanella who is now the Sacramento Kings assistant general manager.
The second and most recent? Brian Wright who will also hold the title of assistant general manager with the San Antonio Spurs.
"The San Antonio Spurs have agreed to hire Brian Wright as assistant general manager.Wright was most recently with the Detroit Pistons after spending eight seasons with the Orlando Magic. Wright attended graduate school at the University of Central Florida, earning an MBA and Master’s in sports business management from the DeVos Sports Business Management Program.The Spurs have lost Sean Marks to the Brooklyn Nets and Scott Layden to the Minnesota Timberwolves so far in 2016."
The way the Pistons have been able to accrue talent over the last two seasons has been nothing short of spectacular.
A roster once constructed of Brandon Jennings, Josh Smith, and Greg Monroe, no playoff appearances (and no sense of direction), with structure issues and large holes in other areas of the roster, is now a roster constructed of talent, continuity, direction (a playoff appearance), and most importantly a chance to compete.
It’s not just the quick turnaround that is impressive. It’s the way the Pistons have been able to accomplish their quick turnaround.
Despite having zero top five picks (only one top 10), not being a free agent destination, and not having the funds to draw big-time free agents, the Pistons have assembled a young and talented core that has a chance to be really good. They’ve been able to do so while also locking their core up for the foreseeable future (minus Kentavious Caldwell-Pope).
To recap, the Pistons have been able to turn three second round draft picks, Brandon Jennings, and Ersan Ilyasova, into Reggie Jackson, Marcus Morris, Reggie Jackson, and Tobias Harris.
Most recently they were able to turn Jodie Meeks (who missed nearly the entire season) into a second round pick, which is looking more and more like a steal.
While losing quality members in the front office has to be tough for Stan Van Gundy and Jeff Bowers, it’s a good situation to be in.
Clearly teams are taking notice at the way the Pistons are conducting their business.