NBA Rumors: Former Champion Eyed To Occupy Detroit Pistons' Front-Office Seat

A buzz around Detroit suggests the Pistons are looking at a familiar face to occupy a seat at the team’s front office. Ex-Pistons defensive forward Tayshaun Prince could be bound for a comeback in Michigan, this time as an executive as reports say the former NBA champion is being eyed by the franchise to serve as an Assistant General Manager.

A report linking the 40-year-old to the Pistons’ still-vacant GM role was debunked by Eric Woodyard of ESPN early in Wednesday, as he reported: “As Detroit continues its GM search, multiple sources tell ESPN that the Pistons haven’t requested permission to interview former Piston Tayshaun Prince for the role.”

But just hours after the said account, a fresh update now claimed that Prince remains in the running for a front-office job in the central division franchise as he is said to be fit to become an effective aid to the eventual general manager.

“I'm hearing the Pistons have not ruled out Tayshaun Prince as a candidate for a front-office role. The team is looking at making up to two hires — an experienced exec as GM, and an up-and-comer as an assistant GM. Prince is viewed as a strong fit for the latter,” Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press posted.

Despite having a relatively young age for an executive, Prince is not actually a neophyte for such a role. Since 2017, the former four-time All-Defensive Second Team member has been holding a front-office post for the Memphis Grizzlies, whom he also played for from 2013 to 2015 after a 12-year storied run in Detroit. He was promoted as the Vice President of Basketball Affairs in 2019.

Prince was a pivotal piece during the Pistons’ title run in 2004 against the Los Angeles Lakers. Playing close to 40 minutes per night while thriving on the role as Kobe Bryant's primary defender on the other end, Prince was able to announce his presence as he racked up 10.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.8 steals during the series

The said championship series lasted just five games but was still commended for being a defensive-centered affair. Headlined by some of the best defenders in the game at the time, the Finals showdown had held four straight games with neither team breaking the century mark. The Pistons then shattered the trend in Game 5 as they clinched the title over the Shaq and Kobe-led Lakers, 100 -87.