Detroit Pistons add Ed Stefanski to help reshape basketball operations

Ed Stefanski will help lead the search for a new president of basketball operations of the Detroit Pistons.

After that he will help identify a head coach that the franchise hopes can lead the team to the playoffs after the disappointments of the last two seasons.

What happens after that?

Still to be determined.

But for now, the Pistons have made their first move toward reshaping the front office following the firing of Stan Van Gundy as team president and head coach after four seasons with one one playoff appearance.

The Pistons announced the hiring of Memphis Grizzlies executive Stefanski to a senior advisory role Thursday. 

He will report directly to Pistons owner Tom Gores and have the responsibility for helping reshape the team’s basketball operations infrastructure and strategy.

"The big thing right now ... is that we need a head coach and a GM," Stefanski told ESPN.com. "Those will be two items that we will probably do simultaneously.”

In his role, Stefanski, 64, will assist in the searches now underway for a new head coach and new head of basketball operations; conduct a broad review of the existing structure in which the two jobs were previously combined; recommend enhancements and improvements to that structure; and act as a long-term strategic adviser to Gores and the Pistons’ ownership team.

His contract has a three-year term.

Stefanski previously served in lead management roles with Memphis (2014-18), Toronto (2011-13), Philadelphia (2007-11) and New Jersey (1998-2007). 

Vince Ellis covers the Pistons for the Detroit Free Press, part of the Paste BN Network.