Isiah Thomas of the New York Knicks talking with a referee, 17 January 2007 (Wikipedia Commons. Author: Keith Allison from Baltimore, USA)
The Detroit Pistons announced on Monday that the organization and president of basketball operations Stan Van Gundy will part ways after four years, and NBA members and pundits have already begun speculating who could or should replace him.
On Monday night, Charles Barkley revealed to the rest of TNT’s Inside the NBA crew who he believes would be a strong choice to lead the Pistons.
“I’ve never said this on TV because it’s not my job to say people should get hired or fired,” Barkley explained. “But I would like … the Pistons (to) consider bringing in Isiah Thomas as their president of basketball operations.”
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Barkley went on to note the success the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers have found since bringing back Danny Ainge and Magic Johnson, respectively.
“I second that motion,” said Shaquille O’Neal.
And I third it,” said Kenny Smith.
Thomas served as the New York Knicks’ president of basketball operations from 2003-2008. He hired Larry Brown as coach during his tenure as president. The Knicks went 151-259 during that five-year span. Thomas played for the Pistons before that from 1981 to 1994.
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Thomas became embroiled in a scandal while serving as president of the Knicks when Anucha Browne Sanders — a woman who previously worked in the team’s front office— sued Thomas and Madison Square Garden for sexual misconduct. Sanders alleged Thomas assaulted her and then fired her after she filed a complaint. Thomas and the Garden were found guilty and the lawsuit was settled with MSG. Thomas, however, was forced to pay $11.5 million to Sanders, according to the New York Times.
Van Gundy had one year left on his five-year deal with the Pistons. He led the team to a 125-176 overall record and one playoff appearance in 2016, when Detroit fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Van Gundy also helped orchestrate the trade with the Los Angeles Clippers for Blake Griffin in January. The Pistons gave up a protected first-round draft pick as part of that deal.
The Pistons finished 39-43 (ninth in Eastern Conference) this year and missed the playoffs.
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