The Detroit Pistons have announced that Troy Weaver will be taking over as the team’s general manager. The terms of the agreement were not disclosed per team policy.
Weaver has spent the past three seasons as the vice president of basketball operations for the Oklahoma City Thunder after serving as vice president/assistant general manager for the previous eight seasons. Weaver’s responsibilities included coordinating player-personnel matters, NBA draft preparation, free agency planning, and summer league roster construction.
“Troy is an outstanding executive with an exceptional track record for identifying and developing talent,” says Tom Gores, owner of the Pistons. “In talking with Troy, he’s got both the skill and temperament to lead, and the confidence and creativity to work collaboratively with others. We’re excited for him to take the reins as general manager of the Pistons at this important moment. Ed and the team have done excellent work creating flexibility with our roster and establishing a clear direction. Troy comes aboard to help take us to the next level.”
Weaver joined the Thunder in May 2008 and was tasked with developing the roster and assisting in day-to-day basketball operations for the franchise. The Thunder recorded above-.500 records in 11 of the 12 seasons Weaver spent working for them and won the Western Conference Finals in 2012.
“It’s an honor for me to join a franchise with the history and tradition of the Detroit Pistons,” says Weaver. “I’m excited for the challenge of building this team into a consistent winner and assembling the pieces to compete at a very high level. We’ll get to work right away, evaluating opportunities and installing systems that will make us all successful.”
Despite losing superstars James Harden, Kevin Durant, Paul George, and Russell Westbrook, Weaver and the Thunder were able to continuously put together one of the Western Conference’s elite squads through the acquisition of draft picks and untested young players.
“Troy’s basketball knowledge and experience will help this organization in all facets of strategic planning and roster development this coming season and beyond,” says Ed Stefanski, senior advisor to Gores. “He has a good eye for talent, is a great communicator, and is team oriented. I look forward to working with him as we focus on achieving our collective goals.”
Weaver has more than 15 years of experience in NBA front offices, beginning his professional career as the Utah Jazz head scout from 2004-2007 before being promoted to director of player personnel for the 2007-08 season. Having also coached at the college level for New Mexico, Pittsburgh, and Syracuse, Weaver won the 2003 NCAA National Championship as an assistant coach for the Carmelo Anthony-led Orangemen.
A Washington, D.C. native, Weaver graduated from Prince George’s Community College in Maryland in 1991, where he played one season of basketball.
