Jeff Bower and Pistons ‘part ways,’ per report

The Detroit Pistons and Jeff Bower have “parted ways,” according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. Bower spent the previous four seasons as Detroit’s GM under president Stan Van Gundy.

Bower’s time with the organization appeared limited once Van Gundy was dismissed in May, but he and most of the executive staff were under contract until June 30 and went about the normal order of business in the past month.

Bower and crew have been meeting with prospects ahead of the NBA Draft and were present at the NBA Draft Combine.

The timing of the move, with 30 days remaining before Bower’s contract officially runs out, indicates that the Pistons are likely nearing the appointment of a new president and/or general manager.

The team brought on Ed Stefanski to help lead the process of identifying, interviewing and hiring a new GM. The team is concurrently also interviewing several people for the vacant head coaching position — including Dwane Casey, Juwan Howard, John Beilein, Kenny Smith, Ime Udoka and Nick Nurse.

The Pistons are reportedly looking for a rising star among the GM ranks to help lead the organization back into contention. The top candidates for the GM post include Trajan Langdon and Malik Rose, with Brent Barry and former Piston Tayshaun Prince also up for front office posts. The Pistons previously interviewed Shane Battier for an executive role but he withdrew from consideration.