As the Pistons continue their search for a new general manager, James L. Edwards III of The Athletic cites a high-ranking team source who says that prioritizing diversity during that process is considered “vital.”
As Edwards cautions, that doesn’t necessarily mean that Detroit’s next GM will be a person of color. However, it sounds as if the Pistons are casting a wide net as they consider candidates, and Edwards suggests he’d be “very, very surprised” if the team doesn’t hire a person of color to its front office this summer in some capacity, whether it’s as a GM, an assistant GM, or another position.
Here’s more on the Pistons:
- Within the mailbag linked above, Edwards says he thinks the Pistons may play it a little safer in the 2020 NBA draft after rolling the dice on 18-year-old Sekou Doumbouya a year ago. As Edwards points out, this year’s draft class isn’t considered particularly strong to begin with, and scouting has been a challenge due to the coronavirus pandemic. As such, it might be a good time for the club to take a player it’s confident will develop into a solid pro, even if that prospect doesn’t necessarily have superstar upside. Of course, Detroit’s draft strategy will hinge in large part on where the team ends up in the lottery.
- On an end-of-season conference call on Wednesday, Pistons head coach Dwane Casey said he thinks the team will look to acquire a starting point guard in the draft or free agency this offseason, per Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press (Twitter link). Derrick Rose remains under contract for one more year, but thrived primarily in a sixth-man role in 2019/20.
- As Sankofa relays in a full Free Press story, Casey also said on Wednesday’s call that he was encouraged by the growth of the Pistons’ young players this season. “We found Christian Wood, who had an excellent season with us when a lot of people had given up on him,” Casey said. “Svi Mykhailiuk, I thought he made great strides as far as his shooting ability and his development. And also Bruce Brown, I thought Bruce took strides. I don’t think that he’s a starting point guard in our league. I think he’s going to be an excellent backup for us for whoever we get in that situation. But this year’s development of him is really valuable.”
- We passed along a few more of Casey’s end-of-season comments on Wednesday evening.
A new GM will direct on Rose’s fate, but he Pistons should not phase him out, like with drafting a PG high. They relied on him, and while some people may not like dealing with C.Wood, I suspect Rose can, being similar in self-priority. Maybe Casey does not see leadership with Rose like he did with Lowry but Lowry is not an option.
Vanvleet can play off the ball when Rose is in.
Not sure the Pistons should wait until 2021 to spend.
The only PG pistons should sign is Kris Dunn. They can find another Van Fleet in this draft. I even think Grant Riller can turn into a VanFleet and he may fall to2nd round
There are so many decent PGs in the draft, hoping for a Riller in the second round is a good strategy. This may be the team for Isaac Okoro, as basic & reliable as Doumtouya is flashy, and still #4 by espn.
Pistons pick ahead of Knicks. They’re only team I worry might take Halliburton. IMO Hayes would be a better pick. Cause even though he is going to take longer to see results. He does have star potential. Where Halliburton is solid 2way starter potential. Knicks need IQ guys. Plus he plays D. And he can help next yr and eventually start at PG. Hayes in 4 yrs. Could be another D Russell. I wouldn’t be mad if Knicks took Hayes. Just Halliburton speeds up our process now. Pistons should be looking at full Rebuild. Move Rose and Griffin. OKC would take Griffin. They have plenty of picks n young talent. Plus will lt Gallinari walk. Rose would be great in Philly as backup. Pistons can afford to wait n be patient with Hayes.