Pistons interested in talking to Battier for front-office spot
MIAMI — The Pistons have their eyes on Shane Battier.
Battier, who is the Heat’s vice president of basketball development and analytics, is one of the candidates the Pistons are interested in to fill an upper-level position in their restructured front office. Miami granted Battier permission to interview for the opportunity in Detroit.
The Pistons are restructuring their front office after the recent dismissal of Stan Van Gundy as coach and team president. Detroit, which traded for five-time All-Star Blake Griffin in January, has missed the playoffs the past two seasons.
It would be a homecoming for Battier, who was born and raised in Birmingham, Mich., just outside of Detroit. He led Birmingham Detroit Country Day to three state championships at the high school level before moving on to Duke.
It would also likely be a promotion. While the position Battier is interviewing for with the Pistons is unclear, it’s believed to be a higher-level position than the one he’s currently in with the Heat.
On Miami’s organizational chart, Battier is listed below Heat president Pat Riley, general manager Andy Elisburg, vice president of player personnel Chet Kammerer, vice president of player programs Alonzo Mourning and assistant general manager Adam Simon. With the Pistons, the Detroit Free Press is calling for Battier to be named the president of basketball operations.
The question is, how long is the 39-year-old Battier willing to wait to climb up the organizational ladder with the Heat? He joined the team’s front office Feb. 16, 2017.
Battier played three seasons with Miami from 201114, winning two NBA titles with the organization in 2012 and 2013.
“We believe Shane is an incredible example of our Heat program, not only for the present, but also for the future,” Riley said in a statement when Battier joined Miami’s front office last year. “He embodies everything that we are looking for in our players and staff . ... Shane is an out-of-the-box thinker and will bring a fresh expertise that can help us evolve as a franchise.”
That’s exactly why the Pistons are interested in Battier.