Pistons confirm that Joe Dumars has stepped aside as president

The Detroit Pistons revealed on Monday that Joe Dumars has stepped down as the team's president of basketball operations, effective immediately.

The Pistons indicated they will launch a search for a new head of basketball operations, with Dumars acting in an advisory role to the organization's ownership. They may need a new general manager to replace Dumars, too, as it is unclear if a new hire would assume both roles.

Owner Tom Gores released a statement via the team:

Joe Dumars is a great champion who has meant so much to this franchise and this community. We are turning the page with great respect for what he has accomplished not only as a player and a front office executive, but as a person who has represented this team and the NBA with extraordinary dignity.

Dumars took over the reins in Detroit prior to the 2000-01 season, eventually winning Executive of the Year in 2002-03 and building a championship team in 2003-04. For six straight years, the Pistons advanced at least as far as the conference finals, but his tenure has been marred by bad contracts and poor performance since roughly 2008.