The Detroit Pistons made it official Friday, naming Trajan Langdon their new president of basketball operations.
Detroit's newest executive reportedly didn't waste any time in kickstarting the team's major front-office restructuring as multiple reports indicate that the Pistons and Troy Weaver are planning to part ways.
When the Pistons hired Weaver in June 2020 to fill their general manager role after a two-year vacancy, it provided a sense of excitement and hope at a time when the coronavirus had run globally rampant.
Weaver had been a rising front-office executive over the past decade-plus. Then the vice president of basketball operations for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Weaver had been said to check all the boxes Pistons owner Tom Gores and his advisers were looking for in a candidate who would be tasked with handling a total roster teardown and rebuild.
Gores lauded Weaver after the hire as an “outstanding executive with an exceptional track record for identifying and developing talent.”
But all that optimism faded into melancholy over the course of the next four years. The frustration hit rock bottom last season after promise of potentially turning a corner in a lengthy rebuild was met with a 28-game losing streak.
Weaver's downfall was rooted in inconsistent talent evaluations and shoddy drafting, as well as a failure to properly manage assets and build a winning team.
Weaver had some big hits in the draft. After the Pistons earned the rights to the the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 draft, Detroit took Cade Cunningham. The 22-year-old star guard missed all but 12 games of his second season because of an injury, but was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise disappointing 2023-24 season. Weaver also orchestrated a trade for Isaiah Stewart, the No. 16 pick in 2020, before the pandemic-shortened season began.
But Weaver also had some big draft night misses, including in 2020 when the Pistons took Killian Hayes with the No. 7 pick over Tyrese Haliburton. Hayes flamed out over his four NBA seasons and was waived this past season. Meanwhile, Haliburton finished third in Rookie of the Year voting in 2021 and is now a two-time All-Star who helped the Pacers to the Eastern Conference Finals this past season.
The verdict is not out yet on Weaver's other recently drafted players including Ausar Thompson, Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren and Marcus Sasser. All five have shown potential but are still in the infancy of their careers.
The Pistons, with a healthy Cunningham, finished this past season with a franchise-worst 14-68 record — only a year after Detroit went a measly 17-65. It was more than clear that change needed to happen.
When Gores announced the Pistons' plans to hire a president of basketball operations this offseason, Weaver was believed to be temporarily safe until the new front-office leader settled into his role. But Weaver ultimately was reported to be the first domino to fall with new president of basketball operations Tajan Langdon coming in.
News circulated last weekthat the Pistons were working to hire Langdon, who spent the last five seasons as the New Orleans Pelicans general manager.
In a written statement Friday, Gores lauded Langdon as an "accomplished front office executive with an impressive track record.
"He’s worked his way up and seen it all as a player, scout and executive," Gores said. "He’s been successful at every level. I’m confident he will very swiftly get us to the standard of excellence I expect from every business.”
Langdon is the Pistons' front office first president of basketball operations since the team parted ways with Stan Van Gundy following the 2017-18 season.
In his five seasons as the Pelicans' GM, Langdon established a reputation for his personnel moves and draft picks, while working with New Orleans team president David Griffin. Langdon, 48, also learned from his time with the Brooklyn Nets in his role as an assistant general manager under Sean Marks.
Langdon said he was honored to join the Pistons and is "fully aligned" with Gores' expectations for the team's future.
“The work starts immediately, and I appreciate Tom giving me the opportunity to build on the foundation that has been laid and help this team compete at the highest level," said Langdon, who also said he has already begun interviewing candidates for additional roles, according to the team's press release.
"There is great tradition and history associated with this franchise. I’m excited to build on that for everyone associated with the organization and the passionate sports fans of Detroit.”
With Weaver reportedly gone, attention now shifts to the future of head coach Monty Williams and the NBA draft.
Williams' departure would come with a hefty cost for the Pistons, who had given the 52-year-old a six-year, $78.5 million guaranteed contract just last year.
The Pistons' record regressed in Williams' first season. Langdon will have to decide whether he has faith that Williams can deliver significantly more progress than his first season and help young players develop.
This is a critical summer for the Pistons, who are in crisis mode. The roster, as it stands, will not cut it as Detroit is in dire need of some veteran help supplement the team's young core. Cunningham, Ivey and Thompson are the players Langdon may look to build around.
Detroit does hold the No. 5 pick in this year's draft, but the talent level in the prospect pool is lower than previous years. Still, the Pistons might be able to parlay that pick and potentially a player or two into a trade to bring in more experience.
Langdon acknowledged as much, noting the team's salary cap flexibility and assets as opportunities for the team to get better.
“The young talent on the roster along with the No. 5 pick, a second-round selection and salary cap space provide significant opportunity to enhance the team this offseason and in the future,” Langdon said.“I’m excited to get on the ground in Detroit and start preparation for the draft and our strategy beyond.”
Needless to say Langdon has his work cut out for him, as he's tasked with having to chart a path forward for a team that's been stuck for years in sub-mediocrity. Bringing in a new general manager, though, was arguably a necessary first step.
mkenney@detroitnews.com
@madkenney
