Pat Garrity will leave the Detroit Pistons organization when new CEO Troy Weaver begins to reshape the front office, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Garrity, who earned the MBA as a result of his playing career, was one of the few who was given the job of firing former coach / GM Stan Van Gundy. Garrity was a well-regarded executive with an understanding of finances and the salary limit. To be clear, Garrity hasn’t been fired. However, his contract is running out and with a new GM in place, it’s no surprise to see Garrity pass through Detroit.
Months ago, it was reported that Garrity was a strong candidate to replace Michele Roberts as executive director of the National Basketball Players Association. With the outbreak of the coronavirus, the NBPA decided to stop the search for a successor to Roberts, who agreed to say during the pandemic and its relapses. Garrity had also previously interviewed for free GM openings in the league.
Garrity’s departure means Weaver could try to add up to three executives to fill the ranks of the Pistons front office. Previously, assistant GM Malik Rose left the organization to find a job at the NBA league office and Sachin Gupta left a job with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The remaining members of the executive ranks in the Pistons front office are senior adviser Ed Stefanski and vice president Arn Tellem who serve above Weaver as the left and right hand of owner Tom Gores. Below Weaver are Andrew Loomis, the team chief of staff and also a Van Gundy-era keeper, and Gregg Polinksy who serves as the player’s personnel manager.
The more these positions open up, the more likely it is that Tayshaun Prince, an emerging young executive with the Memphis Grizzlies and Chauncey Billups will join the organization, right? Right?
There is no indication of who can turn to Weaver to actually fill some of these vacancies, but I would keep an eye on the people who have had a relationship with him previously with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
