Report: Grant Hill Headlines Detroit Pistons' List of Candidates for Next GM

The Detroit Pistons are desperate for a change of direction, and that change will invariably start at the top as the franchise searches for a new general manager. Some familiar names may be part of that search, including former Pistons star and current Turner Sports analyst Grant Hill.

Though both Scott Perry and Hill have ties to the organization, Hill is a far more visible personality. At one point, he appeared on the verge of becoming the league's next great superstar along the lines of a Kobe Bryant or LeBron James.

Before it was all said and done, Hill spent 18 years in the league, finishing out his career as a successful role player with the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers after an injury-marred stint with the Orlando Magic.

USA Today's Jeff Zillgitt and Sam Amick wrote that "the Pistons may also look into an arrangement similar to the one Doc Rivers has with the Los Angeles Clippers. Rivers is both coach and senior vice president of basketball operations and works with vice president of basketball operations Gary Sacks on personnel decisions."

A decision appears to be far from made, however.

Zillgitt and Amick cite a number of additional candidates including "Cleveland Cavaliers acting general manager David Griffin, Boston Celtics assistant GM and team counsel Mike Zarren and NBA senior vice president of basketball operations Kiki VanDeWeghe."

Whoever inherits the job will have immediate decisions to make, particularly what to do with Josh Smith, who was signed in 2013 but appears ill-fitted to a role at the small forward position. The organization could look to move Greg Monroe, who's due a significant raise this summer. That would create space for Smith to play at the 4.

Beyond managerial decisions, the new general manager may find himself responsible for restoring faith in the franchise, reaching out to fans and showing them that better days are ahead. In that event, a familiar face like Hill would be a welcome sight—much as Joe Dumars once was.