On the heels of Part 1, which focused on possible offseason moves, team development/mood and the future of the Detroit Pistons organization on the court, Part 2 of the end-of-season mailbag is here. It focuses on questions centered around the future of the organization’s decision-makers, how much change might happen, shifting the energy of the franchise and more.
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No need for a long intro.
Let’s get into it.
Is there any sign of change coming in the front office? — @rassoon_
When you barely escape tying the worst franchise record a season ago, are likely going to set a new one or tie it the following season and become an international story because of a historic in-season losing streak, anything is on the table. The record(s), in itself, is a sign that change might be coming.
Now, the question for everyone — including myself, as I’m not sure what will happen as of right now — is how big will the change be? Of course, owner Tom Gores and Co. could choose to start fresh, bring in someone new to oversee every aspect of the basketball operations and eat general manager Troy Weaver’s contract extension, which kicks in after this season. I don’t think that’s off the table. I’m also not sure Gores won’t just give Weaver one more season to get this thing back on track. I wouldn’t rule that out, either. However, as of right now, the likeliest scenario to me is that Gores and Co. hire someone in a president of basketball operations/team president role who will be above Weaver and have the final say on roster decisions, leaving Weaver to still be involved but not necessarily have the final say.
This is not me reporting that the latter will, without question, happen. It’s more so something I’ve heard rumblings about as the season has come to a close.
The other question you’re probably asking yourself is this: Why would Gores even consider running it back or keeping Weaver on board after this season? It’s a fair one considering the season that is about to conclude. I do, however, think Gores feels somewhat responsible for some of the downfalls this season. For example, head coach Monty Williams has to own his fair share of responsibility for how this season has gone, and Gores made it very known last summer how involved and invested he was in bringing Williams to Detroit.
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That, along with some other decision-making things that may have taken place behind the scenes, might have Gores not make Weaver the sole scapegoat.
We’ll see, though.
What is the probability Monty gets fired? — @Al_Czervik1
As I mentioned previously, I don’t think anyone is safe after the season the Pistons just had. There is part of me that believes Williams’ seat is currently hotter than Weaver’s.
Yes, I’m well aware that Gores handed Williams a blank check and owes him A LOT of money over the next few years, but I also have gotten the sense that Gores isn’t against not only forking over the cash to relieve Williams of his duties but also publicly admitting his mistake in the process if he feels that a new coach is needed sooner rather than later.
Now, does that mean Gores will without a doubt part ways with Williams this offseason? No, I don’t think it’s a given. To be fair to Williams, he wasn’t handed the best roster. I’m sure Gores already has and will continue to meet with all of his decision-makers and some players to figure out what the hell happened this season and what needs to change.
Part of Weaver’s downfall over the last two years is the frugalness to improve the roster. There haven’t been any big moves made. There was a bit of a false confidence in how quickly the Pistons’ young players would improve. Surely, that will have to change this season. As for Williams, part of his downfall this season is prioritizing the likes of Killian Hayes over Jaden Ivey and things like not staggering Ivey and Cade Cunningham until it was too late into the season. These are all things you’d expect a coach who is being paid that much money and with Williams’ experience to address sooner than he did.
With that said, I wouldn’t be surprised if Williams’ seat is hotter than Weaver’s, despite the financial commitment.
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How many years can you be rebuilding before you admit you failed? The Pistons are no closer to the playoffs now than when they were five years ago.
I know Pistons fans don’t want to hear this and I’m prepared for whatever comments might come my way, but growth isn’t linear. It’s just not.
For example, the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are currently tied for the best record in the Western Conference, started rebuilding in 2014 when they traded Kevin Love to Cleveland for the No. 1 pick, Andrew Wiggins. Since then, Minnesota has had two more No. 1 picks, Karl-Anthony Towns (2015) and Anthony Edwards (2020), and has yet to win a playoff series. This season will be just the fourth time the Timberwolves will make the playoffs since acquiring Wiggins.
On the other side of the spectrum, Oklahoma City just started rebuilding and is already one of the best teams in the NBA.
Like I said, growth isn’t linear.
Detroit keeps its rebuilding hopes alive because of the leaps Cunningham has taken this season. Similarly to the Timberwolves getting Edwards, the quicker the Pistons put a competent team around Cunningham that fits his strengths, the more likely I think it is that Detroit fans see the ascension from the organization that they want to see.
What Cunningham has shown this season, which is essentially Year 2 for him, makes me feel good about the Pistons getting the hardest part of the rebuilding process out of the way, which is landing someone who legitimately could be a top-20 player in the NBA.
If Cunningham’s development just completely plateaus, Detroit isn’t able to grow the Ausar Thompsons and Iveys of the world and/or get good value for their young players, then you can start talking about it failing. However, as long as Cunningham is around and getting better, I think the rebuild will have a chance for a few more years.
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Can you predict which of the following, if any, will be on the 2025 roster: Evan Fournier, James Wiseman, Troy Brown Jr., Malachi Flynn, Simone Fonteccio, Quentin Grimes? — @malewie
I feel fairly confident saying that Fournier, Brown and Flynn won’t be here next season. Maybe one of them comes back if there is little interest from rival teams and Detroit needs to round out its roster at the end of the bench, but there will be urgency to retain some of those guys.
Fontecchio is coming back unless Detroit has to use him to execute a big trade. He’ll be here next season, and he should be. He’s been very impressive.
Wiseman and Grimes are a little more tricky for different reasons. Wiseman I don’t think will be back, but this front office went out of its way to get him and he’s gotten a lot of opportunities down the stretch here. I still tend to believe they cut bait this summer. The idea of Grimes should be back next season. However, he came to Detroit at the trade deadline with a knee injury, barely played and struggled shooting the ball. My gut tells me he’ll be back, but that is without knowing who will be calling the shots for the Pistons this offseason and how Grimes is viewed around the NBA.
I like Grimes and think he is worth keeping around, but I also understand if there is hesitation just because he didn’t get to make much of an impression this season as a Piston.
Not necessarily Pistons-related, but what are your criteria for deciding favorite arenas across the NBA? — @Detroit__BBall
OK, let’s talk about something a little more lighthearted to end this.
My criteria for a great arena are different than what a fans’ will be, primarily because these arenas provide media meals, have media access, etc. The two most important things for me are, No. 1, is there good media food? I like food. No. 2, how hard is it for me to navigate the arena? Sometimes security is over the top. Sometimes it’s hard to find the media entrance (now I’ve been to all of these arenas multiple times so I know where to go but still). Sometimes the media seating is high up in the nosebleeds, while other arenas have it near the court.
Lastly, how does the arena look when you’re watching the game? The United Center is my favorite arena to sit in and watch a game. Madison Square Garden is probably better for a fan than the media because we sit up in the nosebleeds.
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It varies, but I primarily focus on things that make my life easier.
Here are my top five arenas (not including Little Caesars Arena, which is one of the best in the NBA from a media perspective): 1. United Center (good food, easy access and a historic venue), 2. Kia Center (good food and the media sits on the court near the opposing team bench), 3. Crypto.com (good food, good seats and a grand viewing experience), 4. FedEx Forum (one of the last arenas in the NBA to have the media sit within feet of the opposing team’s bench), 5. Moda Center (good food, solid seating and I just love Portland).
(Photo of Monty Williams: Luke Hales / Getty Images)
