The Detroit Pistons have parted ways with president of basketball operations and coach Stan Van Gundy after the team failed to make the playoffs again.
“We have decided that this change is necessary to take our basketball organization to the next level,” Pistons owner Tom Gores said in a statement. “This was a very difficult decision and we did not come to it lightly. I am grateful to Stan for everything he’s done for the Pistons and for the City of Detroit. He rebuilt the culture of our basketball team, re-instilled a winning attitude and work ethic, and took us to the playoffs two years ago. He went all-in from day one to positively impact this franchise and this community.”
Van Gundy had one year and $7 million remaining on his original five-year deal.
“Stan is a competitor and he wanted to finish the job,” Gores said. “He retooled a roster that we think can be very competitive in the East. I know he’s disappointed, and that he cares deeply about his players, his staff, this organization and this city. He’s also a professional who will make sure this is a seamless transition, and someone I hope will be a friend and adviser to me long after this transition is completed.”
In January this season, the Pistons made a blockbuster trade for Blake Griffin, but they still finished 39-43 and out of the playoffs for the second straight season. Van Gundy took Detroit to the postseason once, in 2015-16, and the Pistons lost in the first round.
Van Gundy has also coached Miami and Orlando, posting a 523-384 record.
One candidate expected to be strongly considered for a role in a revamped Pistons front office is Brent Barry, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Warriors attempted to hire Barry in a scouting position last summer but ran into complications because of his ongoing TV commitments, league sources told ESPN’s Zach Lowe. The two sides even discussed a potential part-time arrangement that would have allowed Barry to fulfill his TNT duties, with the understanding he would come to Golden State full time upon the expiration of his TV contract, but the talks fell through, sources told Lowe.
Source : ESPN
