What is absolute worst case scenario for Detroit Pistons?

Everything has been coming up roses for the Detroit Pistons lately. Players making USA Olympic and Select teams, getting the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft, and numerous Pistons being in contention for top NBA player awards.

So, what could wrong? Well, as we know, in the NBA, anything and everything.

Ask the Brooklyn Nets, who thought they had guaranteed themselves a cakewalk to the NBA finals by having three future Hall of Famers on its roster. The 76ers stockpiling of draft picks and many years of tanking has produced nothing but second-round eliminations (Their continual insistence on drafting  players who can not shoot a basketball …  not helping).

We do not want to be a Debbie Downer, but, as Pistons fans, we are always prepared for the worst.

So, in this Summer of Positivity, what is the worst case scenario for the Detroit Pistons?

The Pistons seem set up for success. What could go wrong?

Well, here are 5 things that could go off the rails (or sideways) for the Detroit Pistons this off-season:

5. Troy Weaver gets big-footed

The first year of Troy Weaver serving as general manager of the Detroit Pistons has been thought of by most experts and fans, as an unqualified success.

Under Weaver, the Pistons went from one to four picks the night of the 2020 NBA Draft, and he has (it appears) hit on all four players selected. He changed over a roster that was going nowhere fast, and got rid of Blake Griffin and Derrick Rose in a classy manner.

Outside of, maybe, the Bruce Brown trade, there is not much to criticize Weaver for, and that is a minor quibble.

So what could go wrong?

Powerful people seeing things going in the right direction for Detroit, and wanting some credit for themselves.

Weaver is listed as the general manager of the team. He is not the No. 1 basketball executive in the organization.

Arn Tellem, previously one of the top agents in the NBA, is an Executive Vice President with the team and preceded Weaver’s arrival. Ed Stefanski is officially Senior Advisor of Basketball Operations. He was running the show from the time Stan Van Gundy was axed until Weaver’s hiring.

Are Tellem and Stefanski going to get more involved in gritty basketball decisions, now that things are looking up? Right now, Weaver is getting all the credit from the media and fans for the upturn, how is that sitting with them?

They could swoop down and push Weaver to the side and make some decisions (and make sure everyone knows it), so they can get some kudos for the renaissance happening in Detroit.

Of course, owner Tom Gores has the final say in everything, it is his team after all. Gores had been about ‘win now’ since taking over, to disastrous results in the Van Gundy era. If he pushes for quicker results, it could force the Pistons to make rash moves that hurt them long term.

So far, it appears Weaver has been left alone, and given the freedom to do what he thinks is best for the Pistons. He always gives credit to coach Dwane Casey and Gores when discussing big moves. To lure him away from Oklahoma City, Weaver must have been given some assurances about his authority .

Also, from what we can tell of Weaver’s personality, getting shoved aside or big-footed in not something he would take kindly too. He probably would resign the next. day.

But, jealousy is a strong emotion.

Chance of Worst Case: Not too much in the short term, but something to look out for in coming years.