Detroit Pistons plan to hire Trajan Langdon as their president of basketball operations: Reports

Approximately one month after team owner Tom Gores declared the organization would be searching for a senior executive, the Detroit Pistons have a new president of basketball operations. According to reports, Trajan Langdon, the general manager of the New Orleans Pelicans for the previous five seasons, is now discussing a deal with Detroit. 

Detroit, which finished with a 14–68 record and an NBA record-tying 28–game losing streak, is coming off of its worst season in team history. It remains to be seen if Langdon, who was just named president of basketball operations by the Pistons, would opt to retain head coach Monty Williams and general manager Troy Weaver.

Since 2019, Angdon has served as the general manager of the Pelicans, answering to David Gryphon, executive vice president of basketball operations. During his time there, New Orleans Pelicans signed Trey Murphy III in 2021 as part of a three-team deal with the Memphis Grizzlies and Charlotte Hornets, and they selected Zion Williamson first overall in the 2019 NBA Draft. Herb Jones of Alabama, however, may be his best selection in the second round in 2021. This season, Jones was selected to the NBA's All-Defensive First Team.

Pistons have the fifth pick in the 2024 NBA Draft

The Pistons have the fifth pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Langdon, has also made substantial transactions, obtaining Jonas Valanciunas in a three-team deal in 2021 and CJ McCollum from the Portland Trail Blazers in a six-player deal in 2022 (including a first-round and two second-round selections). 

As Pistons general manager, Weaver has probably been successful in acquiring young players, thanks in large part to high draft selections in previous seasons. However, a youthful core consisting of guards Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey centers Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart, and forward Ausar Thompson has not gelled. With such awful shooting and defence, Williams struggled to create a regular lineup.