The Detroit Pistons are close to finalizing an agreement to have Jeff Bower as their general manager.
According to Yahoo Sports, which first reported the news, Bower would start immediately and prepare for the draft and free agency in July. He would handle the duties of the front office. A source with knowledge of the negotiations told The Detroit News that “significant progress is being made toward a deal.” Stu Jackson, Randy Pfund, and Scott Layden were also candidates for the position.
Bower has worked in the NBA before. He was the GM for the New Orleans Pelicans from 2005-2010. During the 2009-10 season he was the coach of the Pelicans. The Pelicans made it to the Western Conference semifinals in 2008. With Bower as the GM they made the playoffs four times. In 2008 he was voted Executive of the Year, according to Sporting News. The Pelicans let him go in 2011.
After he was let go by the Pelicans, Bower worked in scouting capacities for numerous teams. One year ago he was hired by Marist College to be their men’s basketball coach. At Marist he replaced Chuck Martin and went 12-19 in his first year there. Marist could have assistant coach Brian Adams replace Bower.
The Pistons don’t have a pick in the first round of the draft. They have the 38th overall pick in the second round.