New Detroit Pistons president Trajan Langdon adds Michael Blackstone as right-hand man
Trajan Langdon has begun forming his new front office.
The Detroit Pistons' new president of basketball operations has hired Michael Blackstone as executive vice president of basketball operations, a source confirmed to the Free Press on Monday. Blackstone announced the news himself on Twitter by updating his bio and previously worked with Langdon with the New Orleans Pelicans, serving as VP of Basketball Administration since the 2020-21 season.
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Blackstone's hire comes after the Pistons officially parted ways with Troy Weaver, their general manager from 2020-24. Langdon is their new top decision-maker, and Blackstone will be his No. 2.
The Pistons have also hired former Brooklyn Nets player of personnel J.R. Holden as a vice executive, a source confirmed. The news was reported initially by Yahoo Sports.
Holden is a former teammate of Langdon. The two starred for CSKA Russia and won EuroLeague championships in 2006 and 2008. They're also two of the 10 players named to the 2000-10 EuroLeague All-Decade Team. Holden is also a former Pistons scout.
Prior to joining the Pelicans, Blackstone was an assistant GM with the Atlanta Hawks (2015-17) and executive director of basketball operations with the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2010-13.
Langdon previously was the Pelicans' general manager, second in the line of command under David Griffin. New Orleans has had a strong draft and player development record in recent seasons, headlined by 2021 first-round pick Trey Murphy and second-round pick Herb Jones and 2020 undrafted free agent Naji Marshall.
Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. Follow him @omarisankofa.
Feeling a draft?
What: 2024 NBA draft.
Fast facts: Round 1 — June 26; Barclays Center, New York; Round 2 — June 27; Seaport District Studios, Secaucus, New Jersey.
Pistons’ picks (overall pick in parentheses): Round 1 — 5 (5); Round 2 — 23 (53)
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Pistons' Trajan Langdon hires Michael Blackstone as EVP
