The Detroit Pistons have started the season 11-2 and are currently the hottest team in the NBA, riding a nine-game win streak. And the rest of the league is taking notice.
As soon as a team is good, its players and executives start looking like options for other teams, which is what is happening right now in Detroit after a dream turnaround that no one saw coming when they were the worst team in the league less than two seasons ago.
After such a miraculous improvement, it was only a matter of time before the vultures started circling.
The Dallas Mavericks are eyeing Dennis Lindsey
The Mavs recently fired GM Nico Harris, who may have made the worst trade in NBA history, which only looked worse after Dallas got off to a horrible start.
According to Marc Stein (subscription), Pistons’ Vice President Dennis Lindsey is currently the only known candidate,
“Detroit Pistons executive and former Harrison adviser Dennis Lindsey is the only known external candidate for the Mavericks’ post at this very early juncture … and the early rumbles are that Lindsey would indeed be interested.”
Lindsey worked for the Mavs as an advisor, so they are familiar with each other, and as bad as they’ve been this season, I can see why Lindsey would be interested. With number one pick Cooper Flagg on board, the new GM will have a chance to reshape the roster by trading Anthony Davis (no) and possibly Kyrie Irving to jumpstart a rebuild.
Lindsey has been a VP with the Pistons since 2024 and certainly had some hand in this turnaround, so it’s not surprising the Mavs are interested given he has connections with the team already.
Although losing Dennis Lindsey isn’t going to ruin the Pistons by any means, it’s something fans should probably get used to, as it comes with winning.
It will likely happen next offseason as teams circle guys like Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren, hoping to scare the Pistons away with a big offer. We are also likely to see it with some of the role players who have thrived in Detroit, which is why it’s crucial that Trajan Langdon keeps finding good ones.
With JB Bickerstaff an early frontrunner for Coach of the Year, it won’t be long before teams start looking to poach his assistant coaches as well.
It’s a problem worth having, as it means you are doing something right, and at the moment, the Pistons’ front office is pushing all of the right buttons.