After weeks of speculation and more than a dozen interviews, the Detroit Pistons have hired Trajan Langdon as their president of basketball operations.
ESPN Sources: The Detroit Pistons have landed on Trajan Langdon to become the franchise’s new President of Basketball Operations and sides are beginning work on a deal for New Orleans’ GM to oversee organization. pic.twitter.com/WlQOifb4jY
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 23, 2024
There was speculation that they were going to wait for Tim Connelly, but with the draft rapidly approaching, the Pistons had little time to waste so pulled the trigger on Langdon, who was the candidate I was pulling for.
Langdon has an impressive record as a talent evaluator, starting with his days as a scout for the San Antonio Spurs. He’s worked with some of the top executives in the league, has a great reputation and is only 48 years old, so he can grow with the team and be there long term.
Most importantly, he has a track record of doing exactly what the Pistons need him to do in Detroit, which is turn around an underperforming team as he did in both Brooklyn and New Orleans as assistant GM and GM, respectively.
Here’s a look at Langdon’s draft history, some of the trades he’s made and what coaches might be on his radar if he decides to part ways with Monty Williams.
Detroit Pistons news: Trajan Langdon’s draft history
Langdon has an strong history of finding talent later in the draft, as he has never chosen in the top five and has managed to find some steals.
He was part of the team that drafted Kyle Kuzma (traded to the Lakers) with the 27th pick and Jarrett Allen with the 22nd. He landed Caris LeVert (20th) in a draft-day trade for Thaddeus Young.
As the GM of the New Orleans Pelicans, he drafted Zion Williamson number one overall, which was a no-brainer that any GM would have done in that draft, but the rest of his picks in New Orleans have been impressive.
He took Trey Murphy III with the 17th pick after trading back with the Grizzlies, who took Ziaire Williams, a move that worked out very well for the Pelicans.
He found 1st team all-defensive player Herb Jones in the second round with the 35th pick, got Dyson Daniels (pending) with the 8th pick and Jordan Hawkins with the 14th. He also signed Jose Alvarado as an undrafted free agent in a move that has been a “steal” (sorry) for the Pels.
Armed with the 5th pick in this draft, Langdon will enjoy the highest pick he’s ever had and I’m excited to see what he can do with it.