featured-image

On the Move

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – A week before the NBA draft, the Pistons are losing their point man in draft preparation.

Scott Perry, who for the last five years has been the team’s director of player personnel, is leaving to assume the No. 2 position in Seattle’s front-office makeover. Perry had been rumored to be a candidate for Seattle’s general manager job, which eventually went to 30-year-old Sam Presti of San Antonio.

Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars confirmed Perry’s acceptance of the Seattle job Wednesday. Perry declined to comment pending Seattle’s official announcement of the decision.

Perry is expected to assume his Seattle obligations as soon as contract details are finalized. Perry’s leg work in helping the Pistons prepare for the June 28 draft is largely completed. The Pistons enter the draft with two first-round picks – the 15th from Orlando via the Darko Milicic trade and their own pick at 27 – plus their own second-round pick, the 57th.

Perry joined the Pistons as a college scout in 2000 and became player personnel director two years later, working with Dumars, vice president John Hammond and director of scouting George David in addition to international scouting expert Tony Ronzone, director of basketball operations. Perry essentially will fill the role of Hammond in Seattle’s front office.

Prior to joining the Pistons, Perry was head coach at Eastern Kentucky for three seasons and before that was an assistant to Steve Fisher at the University of Michigan. He played at the University of Oregon before transferring back home to finish his college career at Wayne State. Perry’s father, Lowell, became the NFL’s first black assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Seattle recently underwent an ownership change and is attempting to work out a new arena deal that, if scuttled, might lead the franchise to relocate to Oklahoma City. The Sonics hold the No. 2 pick in the draft and are expected to wind up with Texas freshman Kevin Durant, the unanimous College Player of the Year.