Pistons Notes: Front Office Candidates, Weaver, Buzelis

Michael Blackstonea director who worked with new Buckets head of basketball operations Trajan Langdon of New Orleans, is considered the favorite to become Langdon’s second in Detroit, sources tell The Athletic’s James L. Edwards and Shams Charania. Blackstone, the The Pelicansvice president of basketball administration, was assistant general manager in Atlanta before coming to New Orleans in 2020.

Other prominent names to watch, according to the authors’ sources, are Matt Lloydsenior vice president of basketball operations with Timberwolves; Travis SchlenkTHE magicians‘ vice president of player personnel and former Atlanta team president; Brock AllerTHE Knicks‘ vice president of basketball and strategic planning; and Prince Tayshaunvice president of basketball affairs with Grizzlies. The authors note that Prince is a sentimental favorite among fans because he was a starter on Detroit’s last championship team in 2004.

There is an opening in the front office after the Pistons parted ways with their general manager Troy Weaver in what the team described as a mutual decision. Weaver, who has served as general manager for the past four years, lost his decision-making authority with the addition of Langdon.

There are more from Detroit:

• The bad drafts marked the biggest mistake Weaver made during his time leading the organization, according to Andrew Birkle of The Detroit Free Press. Birkle acknowledges that seven of Weaver’s eight first-round picks look like they’ll have an NBA future, but he sees them as a mismatched collection of mismatched talent. He also wonders if the team has other potential stars than Cade Cunningham fallsadding that it’s too early to fully assess the No. 1 overall pick. 1 in 2021 because he missed so much time with injuries.
• Shooting and rim protection are the most important assets in the NBA, and Weaver has failed to provide the Pistons with either of those things, notes Shawn Windsor of The Detroit Free Press (subscription required). He adds that everyone should be considered unusable after a 68-loss season, starting with the head coach Monty Williamswhat will be Langdon’s next major decision before addressing the list.
• NBA.com’s Keith Langlois examines Matas Buzelis as a potential pick for the Pistons at No. 5 in this year’s draft. Although the G League Ignite had a disastrous season, Buzelis showed promise with 14.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. Langlois notes that his 6’10”, floor spacing and playmaking ability and versatility on defense make Buzelis a good fit with the rest of the roster.