Detroit Pistons Shakeup and the Game-Changing New GM

A major Detroit Pistons shakeup is happening. Nobody should be surprised, as the franchise is in serious need of some TLC. The Pistons were ranked at the bottom of the NBA this year. It's a familiar place for them, too, and it's not a good place. So, this season, owner Tom Gores is taking action. He's hiring a president of basketball operations in former New Orleans Pelicans general manager Trajan Langdon. He also let go of Pistons general manager Troy Weaver last Friday (May 31).

There are two big parts to this Detroit Pistons shakeup. One is the new president of basketball operations, Langdon, and the other is finding a new general manager for the team. In a message to media regarding hiring Langdon, Gores said, "What was important to me was finding someone who was a hands-on leader and effective communicator that could connect with people, motivate our front office and deliver results. I knew Trajan was universally praised and respected around the league, but as I spent time with him, he articulated a thoughtful, detailed plan to create a culture of winning and getting the best out of the talented people we have in our organization."

So, who will replace Weaver? That's a big part of this Pistons shakeup. Apparently, one candidate already stands out. According to The Athletic's Shams Charania and James Edwards III, Pelicans executive Michael Blackstone is in "serious talks" to be part of Detroit's front office team. He obviously has ties to Langdon, coming from the Pelicans, which makes this chance even stronger. Blackstone was also an assistant GM with the Atlanta Hawks from 2015-16 and executive director of basketball operations for the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2010-13. Whoever is hired for the new general manager will be the No. 2 decision-maker reporting to Langdon, The Athletic says.

I have mixed feelings about this move. As I wrote in my op-ed about hiring Langdon, there are some pluses and minuses to bringing on the former Pelicans general manager. I like having someone onboard with that GM experience. The Pelicans also had a decent season last season. But, the Pelicans are no Timberwolves or Mavericks. I think it's chancy to bring on someone else from the Pelicans. It's not like we're looking to become the next Pelicans. We have to shoot higher than that if we really want to turn this franchise around. Either way, I hope whatever executives are in place can build the right team around Cade Cunningham and, for goodness sake, keep him healthy. Contact me with your thoughts.

This weekend the NBA will take over Indianapolis for All-Star weekend. On Saturday night, the Slam Dunk contest will serve as the grand finale of the day two events at Lucas Oil Stadium. That got us thinking about NBA stars we'd love to see in Slam Dunk contest.

Before we crack into the list, let's take a look at the modern landscape of the NBA dunk contest. The biggest complaint about the event is that the biggest names in basketball rarely participate. Why is that? Well, last year at this time, Front Office Sports dove into this exact subject. "The last time a player from that season’s All-Star Game actually participated in the Dunk Contest was in 2017, when the Los Angeles Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan competed," they said.

Front Office Sports went on to list a lack of creative options, scoring, and top players not participating in the dunk contest as reasons why the competition had declined. "I think they’re maybe afraid to lose,” NBA Hall of Famer, and slam dunk legend, Dominique Wilkins said via Front Office Sports. Of course, potential injury could also be considered.

Though there has been a lack of star power in the Slam Dunk contest, there have been a few shining moments as of late. Last season, there was much confusion as to why the NBA was allowing a G League (minor league) player to participate in Mac McClung. Now with the Orlando Magic franchise, McClung was called up by his then-team, the 76ers, a few days before the contest. He would go on to win and thrilling fashion. Furthermore, McClung is just six-foot-two.

The NBA Slam Dunk contest will often be associated with the likes of Wilkins and Michael Jordan. In the late '80s, these legends made our jaws drop dunking the ball during all-star weekend. Sure, we have had Vince Carter and the late great Kobe Bryant go in it and win it. However, you can't help but think about what might have been, if these stars had won. Some of them came close, while others opted out.

Nonetheless, we do have some surprising and well-received news when it comes to the 2024 contest. Jaylen Brown, one of the biggest stars in the game, is participating. He will compete against last year's winner in McClung. In addition, Jacob Toppin from the Knicks and Jamie Jaquez. Jr of the Heat are in. Perhaps with Brown participating, we will begin to see the trend of more all-stars opting into this fan-favorite event in the future.

Here are five players we'd love to see do their thing in the NBA Slam Dunk contest.

Now in his fourth season, you can't help but feel like we've been Zion-deprived. Injuries doomed Williamson's first three years. In fact, he's only played in 114 games. However, as we've seen so far this year, Williamson is explosive. An electrifying dunk contest performance can allow us to quickly forget about the start of his NBA career.

Speaking of high-flying ballers, Morant has a burst to his game that not many others (if any) have. Similar to Zion Williamson, the past year or two has been marred by outside distractions that have taken away from Morant's game. Here's to hoping his hoop game is back in focus. He can show us that been taking the next dunk contest by storm.

Edwards has quickly established himself as one of the best young players in the game. He's taking the Minnesota Timberwolves to levels that they have not been to since Kevin Garnett was in the building. It would be a great statement to enter the dunk contest at this stage of his career. To some degree, it would be similar timing to when Jordan and Wilkinson participated and won.

Now, this might be a stretch only because Brunson is probably more suited for the three-point or skills contest. The Knicks guard is now an all-star and one of the most dynamic players in the game this season. In addition, he's loved by the fans and the roaring support from the crowd always makes the dunk contest that much more of an entertaining experience. Finally, the Knicks could really use the spotlight.

King James may arguably be past the prime of his career when this opportunity would make sense. For years, fans wanted him in, and although it came close, James never jumped in. He certainly doesn't need to do it. It just feels like the one thing he has not accomplished in the league. Kobe Bryant competed in the dunk contest in 1997. And he won.