For a few years, the Oklahoma City Thunder were a consistent title contender. After selecting Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden in successive drafts from 2007-09, they had the core of a vaunted squad that made four trips Western Conference finals and went to the NBA Finals in 2012.
One of the main architects of those squads was then-assistant general manager Troy Weaver, whom the Pistons introduced as their general manager on Monday.
Weaver is widely lauded for his ability to identify talent and as he joins the Pistons — who have significant space under the salary cap, a likely top-five draft pick and plenty of young talent to cultivate — the timing is right to turn things around.