Things have been quiet for the Detroit Pistons since hiring Trajan Langdon to be the new president of basketball operations, but there is plenty bubbling under the surface.
After parting ways with Troy Weaver, the Pistons are searching for a new GM to be Langdon’s first lieutenant.
He’s also deciding the future of Monty Williams, so Langdon has plenty to accomplish before he gets to the Herculean task of fixing the Pistons roster.
So where do things stand with just over two weeks to go until the NBA Draft?
Detroit Pistons zeroing in on Dennis Lindsey
According to Marc Stein (subscription) the Pistons have narrowed their GM focus on Dennis Lindsey, who is currently an advisor for the Mavericks.
Lindsey interviewed for the POBO job and would be an experienced hand to flank Langdon, who is in his first job as the top guy.
Lindsey started his career in Houston, where he was a scout before eventually working his way up to VP of basketball operations and finally GM. He was an assistant GM with the Spurs, and then ended up in Utah as the GM of the Jazz, where he stayed for nine seasons.
Six of his nine years were winning ones for the Jazz, and he is credited with drafting Donovan Mitchell (you’re welcome), hiring Quin Snyder and putting together a team that finished 1st in the Western Conference during the COVID-shortened season.
His teams had 50 or more wins three times in his tenure as GM of the Jazz. Lindsey might still be there if not for troubling allegations of racism that were later dismissed as inconclusive after the NBA did an investigation.
Allegations aside, Lindsey is an experienced and successful executive that has worked with some of the best minds in the game and is a valued member of the Mavericks front office that they hope not to lose.
In addition to GM, Langdon is also “evaluating” his coach, which is taking a suspiciously long time, which of course has led to speculation about why.
Are the Lakers going to pursue Monty Williams?
Rumors are swirling around Pistons head coach Monty Williams, especially now that Dan Hurley has reportedly turned down LA’s offer to be their next head coach.
The Lakers have pursued Williams before, who reportedly turned them down after what he deemed a lowball offer. Monty ended up going to the Suns for more money and banked even more with his move to Detroit.
Some have suggested that the reason Langdon’s “evaluation” of Williams is taking so long (what is to evaluate really? They sucked) is that the Pistons are negotiating a buyout or some type of swap with the Lakers that would send Williams packing to LA.
This speculation has gained traction and is definitely something to watch over the coming week. This could sound like tinfoil hat theory stuff, but it does seem odd that Langdon has not had a press conference since becoming POBO.
Stay tuned.