RealGM Basketball Wiretap

Cavaliers Win Lottery; Magic, Wizards In Top-3

Tue, 21 May 2013 20:52:23 EDT

The 2013 NBA Draft Lottery was held on Tuesday in Times Square with the Cleveland Cavaliers winning for the second time in three years and third time in ten years. The Washington Wizards moved up from the eighth slot to draft third.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers
2. Orlando Magic
3. Washington Wizards
4. Charlotte Bobcats
5. Phoenix Suns
6. New Orleans Pelicans
7. Sacramento Kings
8. Detroit Pistons
9. Minnesota Timberwolves
10. Portland Trail Blazers
11. Philadelphia 76ers
12. Toronto Raptors
13. Dallas Mavericks
14. Utah Jazz

Dumars, Pistons 'Comfortable' With No. 8 Draft Slot

Thu, 23 May 2013 20:36:03 EDT

Joe Dumars is “comfortable” with the Detroit Pistons staying in the middle of the draft lottery.

"I'm good with it," Dumars said during a conference call with reporters Tuesday night. "I just talked to Tom Gores about five minutes (ago) and I basically said the same thing ... there are no franchise changers, there's no franchise guy, really, that you're looking at in this particular draft.

"So to be at seven or eight, we're going to get a good player.  We'll add another really nice piece to the core we that already have and we'll move forward.  So like I said, I'm very, very comfortable with it and OK with it -- totally OK with it."

Dumars said the Pistons are most focused on perimeter players.

"You rate these wing guys and it gets to the point where the ones you rated in the top seven or eight (are off the board), so why not take the best big guy or the best player on the board at that point?" he said.  "Our preference is to look at the perimeter with this particular pick.  But by no means are we locked into that where that's all we're going to take, no matter what."

Trey Burke Hearing Draft Position Likely Between Two And Six

Thu, 23 May 2013 19:52:33 EDT

Trey Burke is beginning to get a feel for where he might fall in the NBA draft.

"I'm hearing anywhere from two to six," Burke said Wednesday. "That's pretty much everything I'm hearing now. It's really a toss up and up in the air. So I'm looking forward to seeing what happens in the next month or so."

Burke wouldn't mind falling to the Pistons at No. 8.

"Absolutely, that would be great," he said. "To be able to play for the Pistons, right there in Michigan where I've already played for the Michigan Wolverines, that would be wonderful and I would be looking forward to it."

Lillard, Davis, Beal, Waiters, Barnes On 2013 All-Rookie First Team

Tue, 14 May 2013 14:39:00 EDT

Damian Lillard headlines the 2013 NBA All-Rookie Team as a unanimous selection.

Bradley Beal, Anthony Davis, Dion Waiters and Harrison Barnes joined Lillard on the All-Rookie First Team.

On the All-Rookie Second Team is Andre Drummond, Jonas Valanciunas, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kyle Singler and Tyler Zeller.

Pistons Haven't Identified Leading Candidate In Coaching Search

Mon, 13 May 2013 16:58:05 EDT

The Detroit Pistons do not have a leading candidate in their head coaching search, according to sources.

There is belief, however, that the Pistons will elevate the process at the NBA draft combine in Chicago.

Phil Jackson has agreed to help the organization in an advisory role and could have Brian Shaw at the top of his candidate list.

Mike Budenholzer Emerges As Candidate For Pistons

Fri, 03 May 2013 16:18:31 EDT

Mike Budenholzer has emerged as a candidate to become the next head coach of the Detroit Pistons.

Budenholzer is currently an assistant with the San Antonio Spurs.

Joe Dumars spent several hours on Wednesday meeting with Budenholzer.

The Pistons have also met with Nate McMillan and also want to interview Kelvin Sampson.

Budenholzer's reputation as one of the next potential NBA coaches has increased in recent years and is considered a leading candidate to replace Gregg Popovich whenever he retires.

Pistons Hire Phil Jackson As Advisor In Coaching Search

Thu, 02 May 2013 22:22:34 EDT

Phil Jackson has agreed to serve in an advisory capacity in the Detroit Pistons' search for a head coach.

“Phil Jackson is a friend and one of the best minds in the business,” owner Tom Gores said. “We are thrilled to have him as an adviser as we make some very important decisions for this franchise. Joe (Dumars) and I discussed this and he and I are in full agreement that this is a great opportunity.”

Jackson's position will not be formal, but rather as an adviser for now. Joe Dumars said in a statement that he welcomes Jackson's input.

“Tom and I discussed using a consultant as part of our decision-making process in our search for a head coach and we feel that Phil Jackson is a great resource to use,” Dumars said. “I look forward to talking with Phil next week.”

Jackson has reportedly been seeking a front office role within an organization instead of a coaching job.

Nate McMillan To Interview With Pistons Tuesday

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 21:04:03 EDT

Nate McMillan will interview for the Detroit Pistons' head coach opening on Tuesday, according to NBA coaching sources.

The Pistons also plan to interview Lindsey Hunter this week.

Kelvin Sampson is a candidate for the Pistons' vacancy as well, and he is projected to be in the mix for the Milwaukee Bucks' job.

The Pistons fired Lawrence Frank after the regular season ended.

Lindsey Hunter To Interview For Pistons Coaching Vacancy

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 16:51:31 EDT

Lindsey Hunter will interview for the Detroit Pistons’ vacant head coaching job.

“It’s just an interview, like any other,” said Hunter, who interviewed for the Orlando Magic’s head coaching job last summer. “They (the Pistons) have a coaching opening and I was fortunate that they’d consider me. Hopefully, I’ll continue to gain interest from other people.”

Hunter, 42, served as the Suns’ interim coach this season.

Suns president of basketball operations Lon Babby said Hunter remains a strong candidate for the full-time job.

“From talking to him, I do feel that way,” Hunter said of Babby’s statement. “I think he still feels I’m a strong candidate. Although Lance and I were really close, I felt like I was equally respected in the organization by all parts. I was hurt for my friend  but I wasn’t concerned about anything.”

Hunter Likely To Be Allowed To Interview For Pistons' Vacancy

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 21:36:57 EDT

Lindsey Hunter has asked the Phoenix Suns to allow him to interview for the Detroit Pistons' head coaching vacancy and will likely be granted permission soon, according to a source.

Hunter was named interim coach of the Suns in January, replacing Alvin Gentry.

As an NBA player, Hunter spent 12 of his 17 seasons with the Pistons.

The Pistons fired Lawrence Frank last week.

Report: Nate McMillan Emerges As Front-Runner To Coach Pistons

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 21:22:31 EDT

Nate McMillan has emerged as the front-runner to become the next head coach of the Detroit Pistons, according to sources.

The Pistons want a proven coach and have targeted McMillan, who has coached the Seattle SuperSonics and most recently the Portland Trail Blazers.

McMillan has an overall record of 478-452, with his teams going 14-20 in the playoffs. He has also been an assistant coach with Team USA under Mike Krzyzewski, when the U.S. won gold medals in Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012.

Lawrence Frank was fired by the Pistons last week.

Jeff Van Gundy Blasts Pistons Front Office For Firing Lawrence Frank

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 21:50:52 EDT

Jeff Van Gundy slammed the Detroit Pistons’ front office for its dismissal of Lawrence Frank, who was fired after two seasons and a 54-94 record.

"Detroit Pistons basketball slogan: When the going gets tough, we fire the coach," Van Gundy said. "It's unbelievable. It's unbelievable. These new owners in Detroit have to be exceedingly bright to have made as much money as they have. And to be duped again that your G.M. tells you that the roster is good and the coach is bad ... what was the problem with Michael Curry?  What was John Kuester? Now Lawrence.

“They run through coaches and they haven't even begun to address their problem. They have very little talent and very little basketball character. You combine that, you're going to be in a long rebuild.”

The Pistons have had seven coaches over the last 12 years.

"I'm just surprised that when everybody acknowledges it's a player's league – everybody would agree with that – then the most important player or person in any organization is the person that picks the players. But we don't, as organizations, examine them,” Van Gundy said. “We just take the easy way out time and time again. You lose, the G.M. convinces the owner 'We got good players. It's the coach's fault.' We fire the coach; we bring a new coach in; we continue to lose. We fire that coach, saying that 'We have better players.' It just goes on and on. It's typical and I can't believe that the Detroit owners fell for it. I just can't believe it."

Pistons Fire Lawrence Frank

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 13:41:37 EDT

The Detroit Pistons have decided to fire Lawrence Frank, sources tell RealGM's Jarrod Rudolph.

An official announcement came on Thursday afternoon.

The Pistons were 29-53 under Frank this season, his second with the Pistons. Detroit improved by just four wins over last season's 66-game mark.

Frank has a career record of 279-335 (.454).

Frank had reportedly wanted to be fired unless the Pistons picked up their option for his contract for the 14-15 season.

Lawrence Frank Doesn't Want To Coach Unless Pistons Pick Up Option

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 23:39:03 EDT

Lawrence Frank informed the Detroit Pistons that he should not be retained as head coach unless the organization picks up the team option on the fourth year of his contract, according to league sources.

One week ago, Frank let owner Tom Gores and Joe Dumars know about this in face-to-face and telephone discussions.

Frank has expressed interest in sticking with the Pistons' rebuilding plan.

Frank is guaranteed $4 million for the 2013-14 season and the Pistons control a $4 million option for the 2014-15 season.

The Pistons are set to have significant salary cap space this offseason.

Monroe Issues Public Support For Lawrence Frank

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 17:27:38 EDT

There has been speculation about Lawrence Frank's future with the Detroit Pistons, but at least one player wants to see him remain the head coach.

Greg Monroe believes that Frank has "done a good job" and deserves to return.

"Yeah, I think he's done a good job here," he said. "There are a lot guys that have been in and out and new players here. I think once he gets a group of guys, a core that you know will be here, I think it'll be easier for him."

Monroe has spent the past two seasons with Frank.

"I hear the speculation, but I'm preparing as if he's going to be here," Monroe said. "Until he says something or somebody from the organization says anything differently, I don't have any reason to believe anything is being said right now."

Brandon Knight Plans To Take It Easy This Offseason

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 08:41:45 EDT

Detroit Pistons guard Brandon Knight plans to take it easy this offseason instead of pushing his body too hard as he has in the past.

Knight is currently dealing with a left ankle sprain, suffered last month in Utah, and plantar fasciitis, which he has battled since last summer.

He has also suffered a broken nose in each of his two NBA seasons. He'll play out the season and then let his body heal.

"I know we don't have a shot at the playoffs this year, but I can't really sit down and watch," Knight said. "If I can get on the court and play and give some type of positive boost to my team, I'll do it, whether I'm scoring five points or not.

"That's just my competitive nature. Whether it be foot, knee, all the stuff that I'm trying to battle right now, nose, I just try to play through it."

Lawrence Frank: Future With Pistons Is Cloudy

Sun, 07 Apr 2013 11:25:11 EDT

Lawrence Frank says his future with the Detroit Pistons is up the air.

Frank missed six games to help his wife through an illness, and the team has had trouble getting any traction in his second season on the sideline.

"When you have a record like we have, it comes with the territory," Frank said. "That's the nature of this business. It's results oriented."

Frank is in his second season with the Pistons and went 25-41 last year. He said he has not had any discussions with Dumars about his job status.

"I haven't asked because I understand," the coach said. "I've been in this for a little bit. You just do the best you can and focus on what you can control."

Maxiell Undergoes Season-Ending Eye Surgery

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 03:46:42 EDT

Jason Maxiell has undergone season-ending surgery to repair a detached retina.

Maxiell is a free agent this offseason and may have already played his final game with the Detroit Pistons.

"You feel horrible for Jason," said Lawrence Frank. "You hate to see any of your guys get injured, especially where their season is over.

"The positives are the surgery went very well. He won't be able to resume any basketball activities for two months but the good thing is it's not career threatening. He'll be able to get back and get back to playing basketball."

Frank said Maxiell began experiencing blurry vision in the middle of last week and doctors gave him some eye drops that Maxiell originally said made his eye feel better.

Andre Drummond To Return, Start For Pistons

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 17:30:24 EDT

The Detroit Pistons will have Andre Drummond back for Friday night's game against the Toronto Raptors.

Drummond, who has missed the last 22 games while recovering from a stress fracture in his fifth lumbar vertebra, will be in the starting lineup.

Jason Maxiell will move to the bench so the rookie can make his first career start.

Corey Maggette Handling Benching With Professionalism

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 11:57:01 EDT

Having played just 18 games all season long for the Detroit Pistons and not since Dec. 15, Corey Maggette believes sitting on the bench night after night has been difficult, but the veteran forward has taken a professional approach throughout.

"We're blessed," Maggette said.  "We make a lot of money to run up and down a court and shoot a leather ball into an iron hoop."

Now, Maggette is doing just that solely in practices and shootarounds.

"You see me every day," Maggette said.  "I'm working -- working with the young guys, out on the court, in the weight room, doing everything I can do to be able to play on this team.  But situations happen the way they're going to happen.  Do I know why?  No.  Is there a reason why I shouldn't be playing?  No.  It's tough, because I am a competitor.  But there's nothing I can do about it.

"I'm not going to talk bad about my situation because it's not professional.  It's not what you're supposed to do.  To me, the thing is just to keep working.  A professional, to me, is helping the young guys, who are able to make me better.  And working with Arnie (Kander, strength and conditioning coach) has been great.  It's really helped my body out."

Maggette will be a free agent at season's end.

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