This could be considered a bit awkward, especially for Stan Van Gundy. Pistons owner Tom Gores has always wanted a way to bring former Detroit great Isiah Thomas back into the fold.
Vincent Goodwill of The Detroit News is reporting that Thomas is in discussions with the Pistons to purchase a minority stake in the franchise.
Thomas and team officials are in preliminary discussions to make Thomas a minority owner, but the exact percentage hasn’t been agreed upon. It would make Thomas one of a few African-Americans with a stake in an NBA team.
“Not a ceremonial piece, but a respectable piece,” was how a source with knowledge of the negotiations termed the potential deal.
The discussions began after Joe Dumars stepped down as the team’s president. Although Pistons owner Tom Gores targeted Stan Van Gundy to become the coach and president of basketball operations, he still wanted to partner with Thomas in some fashion.
Gores has the right idea, because Thomas is a Pistons legend. This could all go left if Gores decides to get cute and allow Thomas the slightest bit of input on personnel decisions.
That’s why Gores hired Stan Van Gundy.