The Detroit Pistons are searching for a president of basketball operations. Here are his five possible candidates they could consider:
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Jon Horst, Milwaukee Bucks GM
NBA insider Marc Stein reported on Horst's candidacy on Monday, saying the Pistons are considering the possibility of hiring the longtime Bucks executive. At this point, the Pistons had not contracted with a national search firm to lead the process, nor had they compiled a formal list of candidates.
But Horst, a native of Sandusky, Michigan, who served as the Pistons' director of basketball operations from 2007 to 2008, fits that mold anyway. Horst, 41, is the architect of the 2021 champion Bucks and was named Executive of the Year in 2019. After a somewhat turbulent season, if an early exit from the playoffs leads to a change in the front office, Hoost could be hired.
Tayshaun Prince, Memphis Grizzlies assistant. GM
For most Pistons fans, Prince needs no introduction. For those of you, the 6-foot-9 forward spent the first 11 years of his career in Detroit, where he was a starter on the 2004 championship team. He has been in the Grizzlies' front office since 2017, starting as a special assistant to the general manager and being promoted to vice president of basketball two years later.
Prince has been with the organization through two different front office regimes and was present at every step of the current team's construction, including the drafts of Jaren Jackson Jr., Ja Morant and Desmond Bane, and the trade for Marcus Smart.
Shane Battier, former Miami Heat executive
Battier, another executive with ties to Michigan, served as the Heat's director of basketball development and analysis from 2017 to 2021, after which he left that role but remained a consultant. According to Sportico, he joined private equity firm Garnet Station in December last year as a senior advisor.
The Birmingham native, Detroit Country Day alum, and two-time NBA champion previously met with the Pistons for a front office role in 2018 following the departure of Stan Van Gundy. . He's not in the NBA anymore, but he's still eligible.
Bryson Graham, New Orleans Pelicans assistant. GM
Long considered one of the league's best up-and-coming executives, Graham has played a key role in building the seventh-seeded New Orleans Pelicans, led by Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. . In a profile with The Athletic, Graham explained his 12-year journey from being an intern to becoming a member of the Pelicans' front office.
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He had a close relationship with Monty Williams, calling him “mentor, big brother, and friend” from their time together in New Orleans.
Mark Hughes, Los Angeles Clippers Vice President
Let me close by introducing another respected executive with local connections. Hughes is a Muskegon native, Michigan State alumnus and former Pistons player in 1991. He worked his way up the NBA ranks as an assistant coach, scout and director of player personnel before joining the Clippers as assistant general manager in 2017.
Los Angeles promoted him to senior vice president of basketball operations last offseason, but kept his assistant GM title.
Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com.follow him @Omari Sankofa.