J.B. Bickerstaff would be the Pistons‘ subsequent head coach, sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. James L. Edwards of The Athletic reports that the deal comprises 4 assured years.
The 45-year-old coach lands his subsequent job simply weeks after being fired in Cleveland. He inherits a gifted younger roster, very like the one he had when he took over the Cavaliers in 2020.
Bickerstaff was one among three candidates who reportedly interviewed for the place in Detroit. The competitors thinned out considerably on Friday when Pelicans affiliate head coach James Borrego opted to pull his name out of the search and stay in New Orleans.
Mavericks assistant Sean Sweeney was the opposite finalist for the job, according to Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports activities.
The Pistons are on the lookout for a brand new route after a disastrous season underneath Monty Williams, who guided them to a franchise-worst 14-68 document earlier than being dismissed earlier in June. New head of basketball operations Trajan Langdon made the choice to fireside Williams, who nonetheless had 5 seasons remaining on his six-year, $78.5M contract, together with basic supervisor Troy Weaver.
The mission to show the franchise round now belongs to Bickerstaff, who led the Cavs to playoff appearances previously two seasons. He compiled a 170-159 document in four-plus years in Cleveland, however gamers reportedly expressed doubts behind the scenes about his “methods, sport administration, apply habits and accountability measures.”
Bickerstaff, the son of longtime NBA coach Bernie Bickerstaff, broke into the league in 2004 as an assistant with Charlotte. He moved onto assistant jobs in Minnesota and Houston, then was promoted to go coach of the Rockets early within the 2015-16 season. He wasn’t introduced again regardless of posting a 37-34 document and reaching the playoffs. He moved onto Memphis as an assistant and later turned head coach, compiling a 48-97 document.
Bickerstaff can be anticipated to construct a successful group round Cade Cunningham, one thing the franchise has been unable to do since he was the general No. 1 decide within the 2021 draft. The brand new coach can have a roster stuffed with current lottery picks, together with Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren, Ausar Thompson and this yr’s first-round choice Ron Holland. The Pistons even have greater than $58M in cap room, permitting them to be aggressive in free company.