In a move that signifies the beginning of a new era for the Detroit Pistons, the team has decided to part ways with general manager Troy Weaver, confirmed by team and league sources on Friday, according to The Athletic. This decision comes just a week after the Pistons hired Trajan Langdon as their new president of basketball operations, granting him the authority to implement significant changes within the organization.

The Pistons are now in serious talks to bring in Michael Blackstone, currently serving as the New Orleans Pelicans' VP of basketball administration, as the No. 2 decision-maker under Langdon in the team's front office. Blackstone's experience with the Pelicans, as well as his past roles as an assistant GM with the Atlanta Hawks and executive director of basketball operations with the Cleveland Cavaliers, make him a valuable asset for the Pistons.

Weaver, who took over as general manager of the Pistons in 2020, was tasked with leading the franchise through a complete rebuild. Known as a highly regarded talent evaluator, Weaver's draft evaluations in Detroit had mixed results. The team successfully secured the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft and selected Cade Cunningham, who showed promise after a season disrupted by injury. Other draft picks, such as Isaiah Stewart, had positive performances, but there were also misses, like the selection of Killian Hayes over Tyrese Haliburton in 2020.

One of Weaver's main criticisms during his tenure was the lack of effective asset management and team building. While other rebuilding teams took advantage of cap space to acquire additional first-round picks by absorbing bad contracts, the Pistons chose a different approach. They signed and traded for players like Jerami Grant, Bojan Bogdanović, and Alec Burks, but failed to capitalize on their value by holding on to them for too long.

Furthermore, the Pistons' roster lacked balance, with a dearth of proven shooting and reliable wing defense. While some players, like Bogdanović, excelled offensively, their defensive abilities were lacking. Conversely, players like Thompson showed defensive potential but needed improvement in shooting. This imbalance hindered the team's competitiveness on a consistent basis.

On his way out, Weaver leaves the organization with over $60 million in cap space, providing Langdon and the Pistons an opportunity to expedite the rebuilding process and improve the roster. With Langdon now at the helm, Detroit aims to strategically utilize this financial flexibility to bring in key pieces that will complement their promising young players.

As the first domino to fall in the Trajan Langdon era, Weaver's departure marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Pistons. With the potential addition of Michael Blackstone to the front office and ample cap space at their disposal, the team is poised to make significant strides towards their goal of becoming a competitive force in the NBA once again.