Pistons general manager Troy Weaver has drawn criticism for the team’s lack of success during his tenure, which included a record-setting 28-game losing streak this season. Speaking to the media on Friday, Weaver maintained that he’s the right person to lead the basketball operations department going forward, writes Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press.
“Absolutely, I’m the right guy,” Weaver said. “I sat here in June 2020 and said we’re going to restore the Pistons, and that’s what we’re going to do. We have a plan in place, a young core that’s showing that they’re growing and have a chance to be special players. It’s on us to continue to fortify that group. We have things in place, our core is in place. Have a coach in place to lead us. Absolutely, excited about the future. Like I said, we’ll own what’s behind us. But more importantly, we’re excited about what’s ahead of us.”
Weaver also addressed the additions of Quentin Grimes and Simone Fontecchio, who were acquired in separate trades with New York and Utah, respectively.
“Grimes is a 3-and-D guy,” Weaver said, per Sankofa. “(Houston coach) Kelvin Sampson, I spoke with him about (Marcus Sasser) and he said his two hardest workers were Sasser and Quentin Grimes. We’re excited about adding Grimes. He fits the profile that we need. Doesn’t need the ball to hit shots and he defends at a high level. Great teammate. We expect him to step into a role to help support the young core. .. He was a target for us.
“This guy has made huge, huge strides from his first year in the NBA to this season,” Weaver continued, about Fontecchio. “Versatile, his shooting, toughness, the vigor he plays with. We’re excited about what he adds. A young veteran even though it’s his second year in the NBA.”
Here’s more on the Pistons:
- While Detroit made five in-season trades in 2023/24 and overhauled much of the roster, Grimes and Fontecchio are the only newly acquired players who look like locks to be on the team to open ’24/25, Sankofa writes in a subscriber-only story. Fontecchio will be a restricted free agent this summer, Sankofa notes, while Grimes will be a RFA in 2025 if he doesn’t sign a rookie scale extension in the offseason.
- Former No. 7 overall pick Killian Hayes — Weaver’s first draft choice as GM — was released yesterday in order to make room for the incoming players. Head coach Monty Williams hopes the 22-year-old guard catches on with another team, as Sankofa tweets. “He had some good moments with us,” Williams said of Hayes. “(Sasser) was playing at a pretty good clip and then Monte (Morris) came back, and I wanted to try some new things … I think he would agree he had a great opportunity here and I wish him the best.”
- The trade deadline moves can’t rectify Detroit’s “nonchalant” 2023 offseason, which played a significant factor in the team’s 8-43 record, but having competent wing shooters who can also defend like Grimes, Fontecchio and Troy Brown puts the roster in a better spot for the rest of the season and in the future, says James L. Edwards III of The Athletic. Cutting Hayes and trading Morris also made clear that Sasser should be viewed as part of the team’s core, Edwards writes. While Weaver’s asset management is certainly questionable, the Pistons will likely have a top-five pick on top of a ton of cap room to make impact signings or trades this summer, according to Edwards.
- In another story for The Athletic, Edwards predicts the team’s post-deadline depth chart, with Fontecchio as the starting small forward and Grimes as the backup shooting guard, though he expects both to play heavy minutes. Edwards also believes Brown will find his way into a rotation spot down the stretch.
I think Detroit will go all in on Miles Bridges in the offseason and he will return back to where he grew up. That’ll fill the PF position with Cade and Duren the only locked down starters.
Leaving you with Sasser, Ivey, Grimes, Thompson, Fontecchio and Isiah Stewart as guys battling for a starting spot and the others back ups. Not to mention you’ve got another high draft pick incoming and more money to spend.
Tough decision to make and Troy Weaver is definitely not the man I trust to make them.
Me personally, I’d go get Gary Trent Jr as my starting SG. He’s decent defensively and a solid shooter just having a bad year for a Raptors team which has been ugly. He come at a cheaper price of his recent form but would turn it around.
At the 3 I’m expecting it to be whoever they draft from Rosacher, Holland or Williams. Then in terms of building out the bench, I think you need some veterans. Royce ONeale and Josh Richardson would be my guys. Meaning they’d look like
Cade Trent Jr Rosacher/Williams Bridges Duren
Sasser IveyThompson ONeale Stewart
JRich Fontecchio
Miles Bridges is staying in Charlotte. He already knows what they are going to offer. They already know he is going to take it.
Nah I don’t think he does stay. Why would you want to hang around on a historically bad team that only wins 15-20 games a season.
Detroit I think will over big money and he will return home
Ivey has been on a tear the last two months since Monty stopped messing around with his minutes. No need to sign Trent. This team needs wings/forwards.
He has been playing very well but I think they add another older 3 and D SG to share the role with him.
Pinning your hopes on a guy like Bridges seems foolish. He is more likely to get arrested than make an All-Star team.
I’d say the chances are pretty even….
you will be surprised and pleased when you discover how good Simone is.
Monty misses his all star duo of Hayes and Livers
Grimes can ge a solid rotation piece for Pistons. Can eventually be the third guard.
Imo Ivey and Cade should be starting.