Who's leading Detroit Pistons front office? Ed Stefanski - for now

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — When the Detroit Pistons are on the clock Thursday for the 42nd overall pick of the NBA draft, Ed Stefanski will step into the spotlight.

The Pistons senior adviser, hired last month from the Memphis Grizzlies, will use data compiled by the previous regime to make the pick.

After the draft, free agency begins July 1.

Who will make the call on how the team will use limited funds?

Probably Stefanski.

Front office decisions after free agency?

Probably Stefanski, who could be named general manager or president of basketball operations later.

With only a second-round pick and a roster that is mostly set, the organization is taking it slow in determining its front office structure — despite the hiring of new coach Dwane Casey early last week.

Stefanski, a veteran front office presence, is overseeing team functions — for now.

More:Pistons have foundation for instant success, says Ed Stefanski

The goal to bring aboard young, promising talent remains.

But currently, there’s significant input from Pistons vice chairman and minority owner Arn Tellem, who played a major role in hiring Stefanski, a long-time friend. Tellem also brings experience from a 30-year career as one of the top agents in basketball.

Pistons ownership reps Bob Wentworth and Mark Barnhill are heavily involved.

Until a firm organizational structure is established, owner Tom Gores described a “collaborative” process to the Free Press last week.

More:Pistons owner Tom Gores: Firing SVG one of his 'tougher' calls

“Right now, we’re in a great collaboration mode,” Gores said in the living room of his Beverly Hills home. “I would say I have more information than ever. We’re talking more than ever. Everything is open and part of the reason we liked Ed is he has all of the experience. He could easily be the GM. That’s not the question. What I like about our group is nobody is putting themselves in front of what’s right for the organization. There’s no one person in charge.”

New course

When Gores fired Stan Van Gundy as team president and coach early last month, the initial plan was to hire a general manager or president of basketball operations before hiring a head coach.

Stefanski and Miami Heat director of basketball development and analytics Shane Battier emerged quickly.

Stefanski, 64, fills the veteran presence role.

Battier, 39, fit the role of a promising young executive that could sit atop the organizational chart and be the face of the franchise.

Battier, a Michigan prep basketball legend, decided to remain with the Heat.

The Pistons had brief discussions with former Cleveland Cavaliers general manager David Griffin, but continued the path of seeking young candidates for the revamped front office with the hopes one can emerge in a few years to lead the organization.

That leaves Stefanski, who reports directly to Gores.

Stefanski has served in lead management roles with the Memphis Grizzlies (2014-18), Toronto Raptors (2011-13), Philadelphia 76ers (2007-11) and New Jersey Nets (1998-2007).

As a scout and executive with the Nets, Stefanski was instrumental in developing the roster that reached the NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003.

“Ed has all the experience he needs to be the guy, but it’s not what he’s worried about,” Gores said. “Ed’s not worried about it. Ed’s worried about making sure we get what we want for the long-term future. He’s fitting in somewhere on the top, no doubt about it, but the great thing about Ed is he can swoop in to the GM position or he could be the head of basketball. There’s a lot of things Ed can do, but Ed doesn’t come before developing the right organization.

“He’s the guy heading the execution of things, but it’s a very collaborative environment right now.”

As of now, the Pistons are looking to hire three assistant general managers: one in charge of player development, one over scouting and the other over analytics.

NBA TV analyst Brent Barry and Atlanta Hawks manager of basketball operations Malik Rose remain strong candidates for front office roles.

Stefanski is OK with grooming someone to either replace him or be his boss.

“I like smart people around me,” Stefanski said. “If I’m not the smartest guy in the room, I think we have a really good staff and that’s what I’m hoping in Detroit to get.”

On the other hand

The Pistons feel they can be patient because of their lack of roster flexibility.

There’s no first-round pick.

They won’t be major players on the free agent market.

“We’re going to take our time because this is a great time to do it. I think this is period where both Mark, I and Arn are helping transition everybody, putting the pieces in place and then we have to let them do their thing,” Gores said.

Stefanski added: “It’s not like urgent we have someone in ASAP. For those factors, that’s why there’s no rush. We’re talking to people.”

But there is the trade market. Although it's unlikely, you figure the Pistons would love to move at least one bad contract to create more financial flexibility.

The offseason trade market figures to be robust with only few teams having the cap space to make significant acquisitions via free agency.

The Pistons will be building a front office while this activity takes shape. No timetable was given for when the organization expects to fill out its front office.

Stefanski will likely be the guy making those calls.

And then there’s front-office/coach relations.

Casey is hired into an unsettled situation — which can lead to pitfalls down the road. The $35 million he will receive over the next five years helps ease concerns.

And the relationship he has with Stefanski also helps.

He worked with Casey for two seasons in Toronto — serving as coaching liaison while with the Raptors front office.

“Ed is a very experienced basketball guy,” Casey said. “He’s been around, he’s seen everything. He’s going to be the guy reporting directly to Tom. … Tom and the people around him are very qualified basketball people. They know the game, they have a good feel for the game, they know the league.

“Whoever we bring in, I have all the confidence in the world it’s going to match with Tom, the front office, myself, the coaching staff. We’re going to be on the same page. I have no issues at all because of the relationship with Ed.”

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