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Could Chauncey Billups be next Detroit athlete to return? Pistons reportedly search for GM

MIAMI - NOVEMBER 30: Chauncey Billups #1 of the Detroit Pistons talks to referee Leroy Richardson during the game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on November 30, 2006 in Miami, Florida. The Pistons won 87-85. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) (Doug Benc, 2006 Getty Images)

DETROIT – Remember the day Steve Yzerman was hired to run the Detroit Red Wings? Wasn’t that a great day?

We don’t know how Yzerman’s return to his old team will work out, but it sure gave a boost to a struggling Detroit sports scene. And the Pistons could make a splash in the same way.

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ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported this week that the Detroit Pistons have started a search for a general manager, a position that has been filled by senior adviser Ed Stefanski for the last two years.

ESPN reports the team will start contacting potential candidates this week. The new GM will work closely with Stefanski and coach Dwane Casey on personnel matters, according to ESPN.

The NBA season, currently suspended due to COVID-19, was, for intents and purposes, over for the Pistons, even before the suspension. The team had shifted into rebuild mode after injuries stunted any progress the team hoped to make this year.

With Blake Griffin injured, the Pistons traded longtime center Andre Drummond and released longtime point guard Reggie Jackson. Stefanski said it was time to rebuild the team.

The team finally has some cap flexibility, after many years of bogged down contracts (hi, Josh Smith).

There are two former Detroit Pistons who fit the job description: Chauncey Billups and Tayshaun Prince.

Billups has been a hot name in the NBA executive rumor mill for the last couple of years. He reportedly turned down an offer to run the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2017, saying the “timing wasn’t right." He also previously interviewed for Atlanta’s GM job.

“My desire is to one day run a team, be in a front office and try to build a champion,” Billups said in 2018. “I know that I will, and I know I’m going to do a good job. When that opportunity presents itself, and it’s a good opportunity, I’ll be ready to go.”

Billups currently works as an NBA analyst on ESPN.

It would obviously be a huge move for the Pistons to bring in a former beloved star to run the team. It worked with Joe Dumars, and it could work again.

Tayshaun Prince, the quiet, yet important piece to the Pistons 2004 championship run, has been working his way up through NBA ranks since retiring as a player.

In 2017, Prince joined the Memphis Grizzlies as special assistant to general manager. In 2019, the Grizzles promoted him to Vice President of Basketball Affairs.

The Pistons will likely have a top-5 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft (whenever that happens).

Related: NBA says it is talking with Disney about resuming season


About the Author
Ken Haddad headshot

Ken Haddad has proudly been with WDIV/ClickOnDetroit since 2013. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters, and helps lead the WDIV Insider team. He's a big sports fan and is constantly sipping Lions Kool-Aid.

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