Pistons part ways with general manager Jeff Bower
The Detroit Pistons went 152-176 in Jeff Bower’s tenure as general manager. Bower was hired by Stan Van Gundy in 2014, with his contract set to expire at the end of the month.
Now the Stan Van Gundy era is officially over.
The Detroit Pistons have parted ways with general manager Jeff Bower, according to a report from Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Bower, 57, was brought in by Van Gundy back in June 2014. Detroit compiled a 152-176 record during his four seasons, while making the playoffs just once in 2016. Bower’s contract was up at the end of the month.
The Pistons are now in the market for a new coach, president, and general manager.
Amid a regime change, Detroit and GM Jeff Bower have parted ways, league sources tell ESPN. Bower has been a GM for two playoff franchises, as well an an NBA and NCAA head coach.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 1, 2018
His release comes just over a week since Ed Stefanski was brought in as a senior consultant. Stefanski has led the organization’s search for fresh personnel. He reports directly to Pistons’ owner Tom Gores.
Detroit has been quite busy since Stefanski’s arrival. They’ve interviewed numerous coaching candidates in the last few days, including Kenny Smith, Juwan Howard, Dwane Casey, and John Beilein.
Former NBA player and Michigan native Shane Battier was interviewed twice for a front office role. But he later withdrew his name for consideration, per Zach Lowe of ESPN. Houston Rockets executive Gersson Rosas also withdrew his name for a similar position late Friday night.
According to Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press, current assistant general manager Pat Garrity is a “strong candidate” to remain in the Pistons’ front office. Ellis also reported that former Piston Tayshaun Prince is being considered for a role as well.
Regardless of who Detroit chooses to hire, the next general manager will only be the franchise’s third since 2000.