(Editor’s note: First of a two-part look at how the Pistons dealt with the turbulent opening hours of free agency on July 1 as they sought to fill their greatest need, small forward.)
It was a little after 11 a.m. on the first day of free agency, another sweltering day in central Florida. The Pistons Summer League team was practicing at the Orlando Parks and Rec building they’ve made their home base for the past four years.
Suddenly, the doors to the gym swung open and Stan Van Gundy led a parade seven deep behind him: general manager Jeff Bower; assistant general managers Ken Catanella, Jeff Nix and Brian Wright; director of strategic planning Pat Garrity; executive director of basketball operations Andrew Loomis; and Adam Glessner, pro scout.