Detroit Pistons assistant general manager George David, a holdover from Joe Dumars' front office, officially resigned after 17 years with the organization, the team announced today. Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press was the first to report the move earlier Tuesday.
"George David has informed general manager Jeff Bower and I that he has made the decision to step down as assistant general manager," said team president and head coach Stan Van Gundy in a statement released by the team. "We wish George well in his future endeavors."
David, a Farmington Hills native who served as a student assistant at Indiana under Bob Knight in the mid 1990s, joined his hometown team in 1996 as a video coordinator under Doug Collins, eventually spending several years as director of player personnel until being promoted to the assistant GM role in 2012. Along with director of basketball operations Ken Catanella, David helped steer the ship after Joe Dumars' departure until Stan Van Gundy was hired.
As recent as May 15, David was thought to have a "solid chance" to remain with the organization. Catanella, Ellis reports, will remain with the Pistons. It's not yet clear if David is leaving for another opportunity, was uncomfortable with his role in the team's new front office or was simply nudged out. (Update: MLive.com's David Mayo reports David "declined an offer to stay with the club in a similar role.") Whatever happened, he spoke highly of his time with the Pistons.
"Seventeen years, an NBA Championship, and a multitude of spectacular people make me truly grateful for the experience I had with the Detroit Pistons," David said in the statement. "I want to wish Stan and his staff the best as they go forward. And, I want to especially thank Tom Gores, Bob Wentworth, and Phil Norment for not only their true professionalism but also their class and friendship. I could not have asked for anything more."
I've never personally interacted with David, but I wish him the best. He's just 40 years old and has already enjoyed a tremendous amount of success, and he shouldn't have a difficult time continuing his career in the NBA.