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Report: Pistons assistant GM Pat Garrity candidate for Bucks executive role

By Justin Prince

Apr 10, 2017; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; A general view of The Palace of Auburn Hills before the game between the Detroit Pistons and the Washington Wizards. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2017; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; A general view of The Palace of Auburn Hills before the game between the Detroit Pistons and the Washington Wizards. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Detroit Pistons assistant GM Pat Garrity is among a group being considered by the Milwaukee Bucks, according to The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Detroit Pistons assistant general manager Pat Garrity is among a group of candidates being considered to be the next team architect for the Milwaukee Bucks, according to The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski:

The Bucks are looking to fill the role after its previous general manager, Jeff Hammond, was hired by the Orlando Magic on May 23.

Garrity, who played 10 seasons in the NBA with the Orlando Magic and Phoenix Suns from 1998-2008, was hired by Pistons president and head coach Stan Van Gundy to be the team’s director of strategic planning in 2014.

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Garrity was then promoted to Detroit’s associate general manager shortly after the team lost front office staff members Ken Catanella and Bright Wright to the Sacramento Kings and San Antonio Spurs respectively in 2016.

Garrity currently works closely with Pistons general manager Jeff Bower, overseeing the team’s analytics and salary cap, according to MLive.

Van Gundy told the Orlando Sentinel in 2015 that he considered Garrity to be very unique. He felt the former NBA forward brought a good combination of playing experience and business expertise to the Pistons front office:

"“I thought the front office would be the best situation for him because I think he’s really, really unique,” Van Gundy said. “You’ve had this battle going on in the league in front offices for quite a while now between the numbers guys, the analytics guys, supposedly, and the, I guess, more old-fashioned basketball guys.“Maybe I’m wrong [but] I don’t know of anybody else who’s got Pat’s combination of a 10-year NBA career — a real basketball background — and then his business background . . . and really understanding the business aspects of it.”"

The 40-year-old had also been considered as a candidate to become the general manager and president of basketball operations for the Magic last month, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein. The organization eventually hired Toronto Raptors general manager Jeff Weltman as its president. Hammond was named the Magic’s general manager soon after.

Garrity told MLive during the Magic search that being a general manager in the NBA was a goal for the future. He just did not expect it to be so soon:

"“That’s such a far, like, goal down the road,” Garrity told MLive. “I wasn’t really thinking about that, just because there really are only 30 of those jobs and it just would take such a long time to do. I just wanted to get back in and be a part of a team and build something.”"

The Bucks also received permission to speak with Portland Trail Blazers assistant general manager Bill Branch and Miami Heat assistant GM Adam Simon, according to Wojnarowski. Milwaukee could also potentially choose to promote current assistant GM Justin Zanik, who will be overseeing the team’s draft this month.

Next: Former Pistons GM Jack McCloskey dies at age 91

Wojnarowski noted the Bucks will start interviewing candidates on Monday.

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