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After Disastrous 14-68 Season, Detroit Brings in Experienced Executive to Lead Franchise
The Detroit Pistons are finalizing a deal to hire New Orleans Pelicans general manager Trajan Langdon as their new president of basketball operations, according to ESPN and The Athletic. The move comes on the heels of a franchise-worst 14-68 record this past season.
Langdon Emerges from Extensive Search
Pistons owner Tom Gores and the organization ran an extensive, weeks-long search process in coordination with the firm Turnkey. The field was eventually narrowed down to two finalists: Langdon and Dallas Mavericks senior advisor Dennis Lindsey.
After several interviews, the Pistons ownership group was reportedly impressed with Langdon’s thoughtfulness and well-rounded ideas. Sides are now working to complete the deal.
Key Early Decisions Await
As the new top decision-maker, Langdon will need to quickly determine the fates of current general manager Troy Weaver and head coach Monty Williams.
Weaver, the GM since 2020, has had mixed results in the draft but has struggled with roster construction. Williams, who signed a massive 6-year, $76 million contract last summer, went just 14-68 in his first season at the helm.
While Weaver remains under contract, sources indicate that Gores is willing to eat the roughly $60 million remaining on Williams’ deal if Langdon wants to make a coaching change.
Pelicans Track Record Provides Optimism
Pistons fans can take encouragement from Langdon’s tenure with the Pelicans. Since becoming GM in 2019, he has overseen the drafting of stars like Zion Williamson and Herb Jones and made shrewd trades for veterans like CJ McCollum and Jonas Valanciunas.
Prior to New Orleans, Langdon spent three years as assistant GM of the Brooklyn Nets, helping build the roster that eventually attracted Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. He also spent three years as a scout with the San Antonio Spurs.
What Langdon Will Bring to the Table
Armed with the 5th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft and over $60 million in cap space, Langdon will have a chance to remake the roster around young building blocks Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, and Jalen Duren.
But after four painful years of rebuilding with little progress to show for it, the pressure will be on the new regime to finally turn things around in Detroit. Fans are desperate for a return to respectability for one of the NBA’s proudest franchises.
