Pistons introduce Trajan Langdon, ready for ‘fresh start’

DETROIT — There is still a lot of uncertainty and mystery surrounding the Detroit Pistons.

The organization is coming off the worst season in franchise history and is once again looking for a new coach. There is no clear path to success and the roster – beyond Cade Cunningham – is a series of question marks.

One thing owner Tom Gores seems sure of is that he has finally found the right front office executive to lead the franchise. He considers Trajan Langdon not only his president of basketball operations, but also his CEO.

“After evaluating everything, I really felt like the best choice for the organization was a fresh start,” Gores said Friday when the team officially introduced Langdon. “Our past mistakes have nothing to do with one person. We needed a fresh start and we needed Trajan to lead with a fresh start.”

Langdon, who previously served as general manager of the New Orleans Pelicans, replaced former general manager Troy Weaver as the franchise’s general manager. Coach Monty Williams was fired this week with five years and $65 million remaining on his contract.

Former Cavaliers coach JB Bickerstaff, Mavericks assistant Sean Sweeney, Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori and Pelicans assistant James Borrego are just some of the candidates expected to interview for the position. head coach. With the draft happening next week and free agency beginning June 30, Langdon doesn’t know when a new coach will be in place.

“I can’t give you a timetable,” Langdon said of his coaching search.

Langdon inherits an extremely young team: the Pistons finished the season with 11 players 25 or younger. Development will be a priority for the next coach after a disastrous 14-68 campaign.

“As much as we want to win,” Gores said, “we want to develop these young players.”

Best of the bunch is Cunningham, who averaged 22.7 points and 7.5 assists last season. He is eligible for a rookie-level extension this offseason.

Langdon, 48, said he would try to take some pressure off Cunningham by improving his supporting cast.

The Pistons could have over $60 million in cap space to make improvements. With many teams looking to take salary cuts due to tax cuts under the new collective bargaining agreement, Langdon is willing to make trades that will help in the short and long term.

“One thing we’re looking for with the cap space we have is getting deals done with other teams and gathering assets as well,” Langdon said. “Hopefully with the players coming in, they can support the growth (of the young players). If we can put those two things together, it will make our summer a success.”

That’s all Langdon, who has been on the job for three weeks, can now offer a fan base weary of rebuilding. The Pistons haven’t won a playoff series since 2008.

“I don’t think there’s a time frame for us to get to the playoffs,” he said.

Gores hired Langdon not only for his basketball knowledge, but also for his overall leadership qualities. Langdon was given full authority to manage the day-to-day operations of the organization. One of the previous criticisms of its structure was that too many people had Gores’ ear.

“I am extremely confident that this partnership with Trajan is going to work, that it is going to transform our franchise,” Gores said.