The Detroit Pistons are already searching for a new president of basketball operations and that person will have to hit the ground running.
We have heard some potential names being mentioned, but nothing official yet, so we’ll have to wait and see how long this drags on. But the Pistons don’t have endless time, as the 2024 NBA Draft is rapidly approaching followed immediately by free agency, so this hire needs to happen quickly.
Whoever the next president of basketball operations is, they will have to make big decisions right away on two looming questions.
Are you going to fire Troy Weaver?
The Pistons’ press release about GM Troy Weaver was very carefully worded.
Detroit Pistons GM Troy Weaver will remain in place as the franchise begins a search for a new head of basketball operations, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 16, 2024
“Troy Weaver will remain in place” is hardly a ringing endorsement, and there is no guarantee Weaver will still be in place after the search is over. The Pistons may very well keep Weaver in his role, but the new POBO will have the power to decide his fate and may choose to go in a different direction with their own people. It makes sense, as why would an outsider who has nothing to do with this current mess want to tie themselves to the people that made it?
If they do decide to keep Weaver on, what role will he play when someone else has final say and authority over his decisions? It may be best to just clear the slate from the beginning and for the new POBO to hire their own people.
Are you going to fire Monty Williams?
Gores may be less inclined to give in on this one, as Williams was his guy, and he is owed a ton of money. He also only got one season with a broken roster, so even though he was a big part of the problem, it’s definitely not all on him.
But the new POBO may not see it that way and may not have any connections to Monty that compels them to keep him around.
Whoever the person is, these announcements need to be made immediately, as they have precious little time to hire new people if they need to and still prepare for the upcoming offseason, which is a pivotal one for the team.
The Detroit Pistons have not put themselves in a great situation with so much uncertainty in the front office, and probably should have been making these decisions a long time ago, not staggering into a crucial offseason with no leadership.