Pistons Owner Tom Gores knows in order to "truly to connect with Detroit fans, and for the Pistons truly to be relevant again, they have to make people believe in the basketball product," according to Bob Wojnowski of the DETROIT NEWS. That means "having a real plan and not dressed-up gimmicks." That is why Gores "so badly needed to land" new coach Dwane Casey who was formally introduced yesterday. When Gores in '11 "took over a franchise in disarray, it was fair to wait." Wojnowski: "It's been long enough. He says he cares deeply and is invested fully. Time to see results" (DETROIT NEWS, 6/21). In Detroit, Shawn Windsor writes Gores knows that until he puts a winning product on the court, he will "remain as unpopular as any owner in professional sports that doesn't" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 6/21).
EMPTY PROMISES: In Sacramento, Jason Jones writes this is Kings VP/Basketball Operations & GM Vlade Divac's "most important draft because if it goes badly, it might be the last first-round pick he makes." The Kings "do not have their first-round pick" in '19 after Divac traded, and he has "promised the Kings would be better this coming season than they were when they traded" DeMarcus Cousins to the Pelicans in February '17. No one expects Divac to keep his pledge to step down "if the Kings aren't winning, because no one realistically expects the Kings to be a playoff team next season." But to have a "successful summer" of '19, one where the Kings will "have space under the salary cap to pursue an impact free agent, it begins with getting" tonight's first-round pick right (SACRAMENTO BEE, 6/21).
TAMPERING TALK: ESPN.com's Ramona Shelburne noted the Lakers "recently called an organizational meeting warning all employees about possible tampering" ahead of free agency. Lakers President Jeanie Buss "called the meeting, which was led" by President of Basketball Operations Magic Johnson. Sources said that Johnson and Lakers GM Rob Pelinka "spoke to a large group of team employees" (ESPN.com, 6/20).
