Pistons eyeing to pursue Bucks GM amid rebuild

The Detroit Pistons seemingly have a new target in their sights for their President of Basketball Operations opening. Apparently, Milwaukee Bucks general manager Jon Horst is a candidate for the position, per Eric Nehm from the Athletic.

Detroit can now set up an interview with Horst since the Bucks were eliminated from the playoffs by the Indiana Pacers. He has been the franchise’s general manager since 2017 and is due for two more years on his contract. Horst won NBA Executive of the Year honors in 2019 and was a catalyst in the Bucks’ 2021 championship run.

Horst is 41 years old and a Michigan native from Sandusky. He has ties to the franchise as a former Pistons manager of basketball operations in 2007-08.

Detroit is entering a pivotal time in its franchise direction. The expectation is that GM Troy Weaver and head coach Monty Williams will answer to the next hired President of Basketball Operations. They also could hold control of who they want to keep in the front office and the coaching staff. The Pistons have reportedly not hosted any interviews for the opening yet.

After finishing last in the league with a 14-68 record, Detroit is expected to make major changes this offseason to start winning. Owner Tom Gores is expected to conduct the interviews for the front office opening.

The Pistons are approaching the NBA Draft with a top-five pick coming and free agency with about $60 million in cap space. Detroit’s front office has struggled to acquire sustainable pieces to build for their future. They have consistently finished towards the bottom with a 70-229 record since Troy Weaver became general manager in 2020.

Pistons’ president search

Detroit’s hiring search is expected to be a national process for candidates. Reporter Marc Stein stated that the Pistons could also have an interest in Minnesota Timberwolves President Tim Connelly as well.

“The Pistons, I’m told, would naturally have interest in Timberwolves lead executive Tim Connelly in the event that Connelly was moved to use the opt-out clause in his Minnesota contract at season’s end that can be activated amid the ongoing ownership battle between longtime incumbent owner Glen Taylor and would-be buyers Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore,” Stein said.

Connelly has created great success in rebuilding the Timberwolves around emerging franchise player Anthony Edwards. The Pistons need to find leadership who can put together a winning product around point guard Cade Cunningham. Sten continued to rave about why Connelly makes sense in Detroit.

“Connelly finished third Tuesday in Executive of the Year voting after his initially panned Rudy Gobert trade (and other moves) helped the Wolves advance to a second-round playoff encounter against the defending champions from Denver who Connelly largely assembled in his previous job. Connelly is completing the second season of a five-year, $40 million deal with Minnesota. “