After Troy Weaver, the Pistons president of basketball operations, Trajan Langdon is considering an exciting choice for the general manager position- Michael Blackstone, the Pelicans vice president of basketball administration. Blackstone, brought in by Pelicans in 2019, has a diverse background, having served as the assistant general manager of the Atlanta Hawks from 2015 to 2016 and executive director of basketball operations for the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2010-13. His unconventional path and varied experience could bring a fresh perspective to the Pistons, making him an intriguing candidate.
It is essential to understand the significance of the role he could fill. Blackstone’s predecessors have left a significant mark on the team regarding successes and setbacks. Understanding their track record will help us appreciate the potential impact of Blackstone’s appointment. But first, we must look back at all the previous general managers the Pistons have had since the mid-90s.
Pistons General Manager: Doug Collins
Doug Collins, the general manager and head coach for two and a half seasons, had a tenure marked by successes and setbacks. He took over from Billy McKinney and led the team to a respectable 46-36 regular season record. However, their playoff run was cut short by the Orlando Magic, who defeated them 3-0 in the first round of the 1996 playoffs. In his second season, the Pistons showed promise with a record of 54-28, but the Atlanta Hawks again eliminated them in five games. One notable move Collins made during his tenure was trading Otis Thorpe to the Vancouver Grizzlies for a protected first-round pick. This pick would become unprotected in 2003, giving the Pistons the #2 overall pick in the 2003 draft (Darko Miličić).
Pistons General Manager: Rick Sund
Rick Sund replaced Doug Collins in the general manager role after he was fired from his GM and head coaching duties. Before becoming the general manager, Sund was the Pistons’ vice president of basketball operations from 1995-98. During his two seasons as the general manager, the Pistons had a record of 71-61. Sund could not provide Grant Hill with the proper pieces to compete and faced the threat of losing him in the 2000 free agency. Sund left the Pistons for the Supersonics, where a legend would take his place.
Pistons General Manager: Joe Dumars
Joe Dumars, a former Pistons player from 1985 to 1999, was named the GM/president of basketball operations before the 2000-01 season. Upon taking the position, Dumars faced the reality that his star player, Grant Hill, would be leaving for Orlando. Instead of losing him for nothing, Dumars managed to sign and trade him to the Magic for Ben Wallace and Chucky Atkins. Dumars would also facilitate another underrated acquisition when he acquired Corliss Williamson from the Toronto Raptors.
After finishing his first season with a 32-50 record, Dumars would lead the Pistons to seven straight division titles, six straight Eastern Conference Finals appearances, two Eastern Conference Championships, two NBA finals, and one NBA championship. However, during the 2008-09 season, Dumars traded Chauncey Billups and Antonio McDyess to the Denver Nuggets for Allen Iverson. This move contributed to the Pistons’ 179-297 record over the next six seasons. Dumars would step down after the 2013-14 with an overall record of 596-536.
Jeff Bower
Jeff Bower replaced Joe Dumars as the Pistons’ general manager on June 3, 2014. In his first season, the Pistons increased their wins from 29 to 32. Bower acquired Reggie Jackson, Tobias Harris, Marcus Morris, and Ersan Ilyasova through trade. With the free-agent signing of Aron Baynes and the emergence of Jackson and Andre Drummond, the Pistons went 44-38 the following season, though the Cleveland Cavaliers swept them in the playoffs. During the 2017-18 season, the Pistons regressed to a 37-45 record, followed by a 39-43 record the next season. Bower was terminated after the 2017-18 season.
Ed Stefanski
Ed Stefanski took over as the interim general manager for the Pistons after Bower’s termination. The Pistons went 41-41 during the regular season and were ultimately swept by the Milwaukee Bucks in the playoffs. During the 2019-20 COVID-suspended season, the Pistons went 20-46. Stefanski became senior advisor to owner Tom Gores; Troy Weaver was hired as the Pistons’ new general manager.
Troy Weaver
In Troy Weaver’s four seasons with the Pistons, he compiled a record of 74-244. Weaver is often remembered for picking Killian Hayes #7 overall, bypassing players like Tyrese Haliburton.
The Last Word
The history of the Detroit Pistons’ general managers is a mix of successes and challenges. From Doug Collins to Joe Dumars, each GM left a mark. Trajan Langdon now considers Michael Blackstone a unique candidate. Blackstone’s diverse experience could offer a fresh perspective. His unconventional path may ignite a new era in Pistons’ history.
