The new leader of the Detroit Pistons has finally spoken.
Team owner Tom Gores introduced new president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon during a news conference Friday at the team’s practice facility in Midtown. It’s been a busy few weeks since he took over the leadership of the organization at the end of May. The organization parted ways with general manager Troy Weaver and head coach Monty Williams, and is searching for a new coach heading into Wednesday’s draft in New York.
Here’s what the former New Orleans Pelicans general manager had to say upon his arrival in Detroit.
(The questions and answers have been edited for clarity and length.)
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Did you sell out to the Pistons and get the Pistons to sell out to you?
“There are only 30 and it was my dream to run one one day. I knew the time would come at some point where, hopefully, things would work out between me and one owner who had confidence in me, and a situation I thought could really help. I think this must be the match for someone who will be successful. I thought the timing was ideal and the situation was really good. Tom and I really connected over a few late night meetings and some good calls. I think the connection was there just understanding where this franchise was and what it needed – just give it some time. things that this organization needs, I’m pretty humble, a pretty modest guy but I think I stand for some things and I’m pretty good at some things that this organization needs right now. for the Detroit Pistons organization and I are really aligned, and that’s what drew me to this. opportunity.”
What is your first assessment of the roster?
“I’ve only been here three weeks and to be honest with you, we were out West, which was a challenge. We saw the Detroit Pistons twice, so I wasn’t very focused on that team last year, to be honest with you, but what I saw was studying the team while I was going through the process with Tom, and what I’ve seen since I’ve been here is young men who love to go to the gym and who love to work. I think our average age is between 22 and 23. They are good young men who are passionate about the game and who are excited about the future.
“I had the opportunity to meet individually with many of them and they were very responsive. I shared with them my vision of where this team is going, what I would like to do with the team , not from a workforce perspective but a cultural perspective of what my expectations will be from each of them. They’ve all been very, very excited about it, I think the vision is aligned there. low, and we will continue to have these conversations and expectations and hold these guys accountable.
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How far are the Pistons from being competitive?
“For us, I don’t think there’s a time frame to get back to the playoffs. For us, it’s about creating a foundation for our young players, a foundation for winning, which means creating an environment for winning You have to do it first before you can actually win between the lines. You have to train and compete at a certain level, and have a certain human fiber in this facility every day, and that’s not just about the players. but also the players. This front office and this performance staff. We all have to contribute to the development of our young players. It is essential to create this foundation and to do it first.
“We’re not going to skip any steps. I can’t give you a timetable. When we get there, we’ll get there.”
What qualities are you looking for in the next head coach?
“Tom talked about leadership, it’s extremely important to find a young man who can lead this team going forward and be aligned with us, aligned with Tom, aligned with myself and the front office on how we want to execute in the future and how we I want to build this organization I think someone who is a very good communicator is important, someone who is a good collaborator is important, I’m not just talking about the front office. , I mean from the performance team, I mean from our nutritionist, from our mental skills coach There has to be collaboration within this organization at all times so that we are aligned. he’s someone who’s really passionate about development We’re talking about our young players, our young core and. They’re good kids but they’ve got talent. also the desire to develop these young players and not to skip the steps. coach.”
What do you hope to accomplish with the team’s $65 million in cap space?
“That’s one thing we’re looking for, with the cap space we have, is to do deals with other teams and also gather assets. Hopefully the players that come in can support the growth of our young people. If we can interweave those two things, those would be things that would make our summer a success.”
The Pistons are one of the worst shooting teams in the league. How do you plan to resolve this issue?
“I think spacing always helps. I think players who can shoot the ball help, so that’s what we’re obviously going to attack. I think if you have those two things on the court, as well as guys who understand the game, it’s It’s going to really reduce turnovers and you’re going to shoot the ball better, you’re going to look better You have to have people who make the right decisions, the easy decisions and play well together. Pistons mentality first and being unselfish, I think all of those things will impact how we play the game and we will see our turnover rate go down and hopefully with the help of our new coach, Fred Vinson, over there in the back, our 3-point percentage is going to increase. We’re going to work on that right away, but that’s the roster we’re looking at building.
What are your first impressions of Cade Cunningham?
“He and I have had very good conversations so far. A human being of high character, mature beyond his years and a great basketball player from a young age, averaging 23 (points) and 7 assists We’re going to put a group in place around him that can support his growth, but not make it as difficult for him to do the things he had to do last year, but also help the other players. to improve. We want other players to help him do that. He can help other players as well, because he’s a selfless player who I think has a chance to make an impact. real at a high level and to be the best player at championship level, who knows, I really hope so. But we’re not going to start talking about championships here, that’s far away when we talk about fundamental growth. »
Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. follow him @omarisankofa.
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