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Detroit has built on last season’s success and has been the No. 1 team in the East for most of the season, despite not making any big-name trades or free-agent signings in several years. The Pistons have thrived as their high draft picks have matured and general manager Trajan Langdon has filled out the roster around them with capable, role-playing veterans. “I believe, right now, he’s one of the frontrunners for Coach of the Year,” Mike Brown said of JB Bickerstaff. “The first people who come to mind are him and (Celtics head coach) Joe Mazzulla. Those two have done something with teams people thought didn’t have a chance, and they’re right there despite missing pieces. “It doesn’t surprise me about what he’s doing in Detroit, because I know how passionate he is, how hard he works, and he’s extremely intelligent.”
Where do you see the front office’s priority being placed on at the trade deadline? I’m still expecting Detroit’s front office to be opportunistic but not aggressive. The Pistons have a slim lead over the New York Knicks for the No. 1 seed in the conference. Trajan Langdon, Detroit’s president of basketball operations, has openly expressed his desire to let the team continue growing internally since taking over at the beginning of last season. While there could be some chances to improve around the margins — say another reliable 3-point shooter outside of Duncan Robinson or a scoring threat off the bench — don’t expect the Pistons to sacrifice their youth and draft capital to make any big-swing trades that could alter the fabric of the roster.
Tim MacMahon: If the Pistons want to be aggressive before the deadline, they have the ammunition. They have the flexibility. They just came through Dallas. I can tell you they're not looking at it as we have to be aggressive before the deadline. They're not going into the deadline with an aggressive mindset. They're going into it with an opportunistic mindset. I think it's probably more likely that they use the flexibility to collect another asset or two. I think they're more in the Sam Presti of a couple years ago mindset. Brian Windhorst: They're finishing their breakfast sort of thing. MacMachon: They don't want to block the development of these young guys that have put them in the spot.
It seems like in recent years, when teams exceed expectations, they might feel the urge to make a trade or alter their roster. How do you go about ensuring last season was real and that players continue to develop without making any of those roster-altering moves? Trajan Langdon: For us, the reason we were more successful (than expected last season) was the environment, the locker room that we had. It was created through people with (the front office) staff, with the coaching staff and with the players we brought in. The character as human beings, and the level of players that we had, we just thought it was a good fit with everybody. That’s one thing that we want to make sure we keep here, but also keep continuing to develop our young guys, who we think are talented young players.
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Trajan Langdon: We want to see what those guys’ ceilings are. It’s continuing to put players with them that can continue to help them grow, develop and reach their potential. That’s one thing we try to be as cognizant as possible of, which is something at times that can be challenging. Of course, you want to continue to get better, but we’re very aware of what the timing of that is. We want our guys to continue to develop and at least get close to their ceiling or potential. Then maybe at that point is when we realize, OK, what is the proper player fit for these guys when it’s time to really go? I don’t think we truly understand who our players can be at this point. I just think it’s too early for us to truly understand what the best way to press the proverbial gas pedal is right now. So, we’re gonna try to be patient with that and let our young guys continue to develop.
How do you think the resilience of the players you’re bringing in contributes to helping shape the mentality and culture of the roster? Trajan Langdon: There’s something to be said when you have to have a level of resilience in this league. It’s a very tough league. You could have a tough game, and you’ve got to play the next night against a really good player. You have to be able to bounce back right away. We’re looking for high-character individuals who have toughness and resilience to be a part of winning, because you have to be able to have that mindset on an every-night basis. It’s not going to go your way every night, but what are you gonna contribute on those nights? We feel that was an important piece for the quality of individuals we’re bringing in here.
We know gambling has become more intertwined with the NBA and other professional sports through sponsorships and partnerships. What protocols are in place to make sure players abide by league rules, and how does the organization go about encouraging overall financial literacy with players? Trajan Langdon: Both topics are obviously very important to us, and the NBA is constantly educating players and all employees on gambling and the no-tolerance policies that come with that. In terms of financial literacy, we have to be careful with the information we do give them, because it is their money once we give it to them. If you steer them down one path like investing, you do take risks, so we can’t give them insight into how they invest their money.
Grant Hill feels the Pistons can take it even a step further entering next season now that the young core has some playoff experience. “J.B. Bickerstaff, the job that he did, Trajan Langdon the general manager, some of the free agents they brought in last summer and then the young players, Cade Cunningham establishing himself as an All Star," says Hill. "It's just a remarkable season. They took a big step last year. I think they have a chance to take another step."
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Coty M. Davis: Trajan Langdon on the addition of Caris LeVert: "The special thing about Caris, you can plug and play him with just about everyone... I am confident that J.B. (Bickerstaff) is going to find a good role for him." #Pistons
Omari Sankofa II: Trajan Langdon said the Malik Beasley news left them "not much time" to pivot. "I was able to communicate with Malik and his agent Saturday, which was obviously right before we could start talking to free agents on Sunday. It was disappointing for us, because we were excited to get him back."
Omari Sankofa II: Trajan Langdon: “You’re going to see a different Ausar. He’s gotten bigger.” Referring to his frame, he’s filled out naturally and has been at the practice facility all summer.
Omari Sankofa II: Trajan: "We’re not going to be super aggressive this summer I don’t think, I don’t foresee any of that. It’s just developing from within and hopefully keep the guys we brought in last year."