Trajan Langdon, Firing Monty and Troy, and the NBA Draft is Coming | The Weekly Drive
The Pistons hired their President of Basketball Operations, giving him the power to reshape the organization.
Good morning Pistons fans, and welcome to the Weekly Drive. The Pistons have a President of Basketball Operations, the NBA Draft inches closer, and the futures of Troy Weaver and Monty Williams are in limbo. Let’s get to it.
Trajan Langdon is the New President of Basketball Operations
After several weeks of interviews and speculation, the Detroit Pistons have found their new leading man. Trajan Langdon, the former New Orleans Pelicans general manager, will reportedly step up the President of Basketball Operations (POBO) position with the Pistons. Langdon, a 48-year-old former Euroleague standout, now takes control of a very fluid situation in the Motor City with reportedly quite a bit of power to reshape this organization.
Langdon was a scout with the San Antonio Spurs from 2012-2015 and then the assistant general manager of the Brooklyn Nets before joining the Pelicans. He has a wealth of experience working in stable organizations and now will be tasked with remaking the Pistons, potentially from the ground up.
Troy and Monty
Pistons general manager Troy Weaver has been a disaster. Head coach Monty Williams was also a disaster, but only last season. Langdon may give both men the heave-ho. That will be Langdon’s first real decision: what should he do with the current general manager and head coach?
Weaver has overstayed his welcome, turning the Pistons from a rebuilding organization into an even worse rebuilding organization with an even bleaker future than when he arrived. Williams was an unabashed failure in his first season with the Pistons, one littered with poor decisions and boneheaded quotes.
Both have good reason to be fired, though Williams’ massive contract will have to be swallowed by team owner Tom Gores. If Gores is amenable to that, and it appears he is, then there may be two pink slips being handed out. And deservedly so.
The NBA Draft is in Less than a Month
Remember when the Draft Lottery snuck up on everyone? Well, the NBA Draft is following suit. Again, the Pistons pick fifth, and it’s a very fluid situation across the entire lottery as to who is picking where.
This may be the most fluid NBA Draft in years. The only team in the top five likely to keep their pick is the Washington Wizards. The Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, and the Pistons all have cases to trade their pick for win-now players.
Check out Aaron Johnson’s scouting report for Dalton Knecht, a score-first wing that would fit seamlessly on this Pistons roster.
News and Notes
Detroit reportedly met with Akron Zips forward Enrique Freeman, who may be an option later in the draft.
University of Connecticut prospect Stephon Castle, who will likely be available when the Pistons pick fifth, is reportedly avoiding workouts with teams who already have a starting point guard - like Detroit.
Simone Fontecchio, whom the Pistons acquired this past season, underwent foot surgery and will not be able to play for Italy in the Olympics.
That’ll do it for this week’s Weekly Drive. Have a happy and safe Memorial Day and see you all next week.
BONUS Podcast on the hiring of Trajan Langdon