In a statement on Monday afternoon, the Detroit Pistons announced that they are moving on from Stan Van Gundy and will start immediately to find a new coach and general manager.
“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 via ESPN. “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.”
After missing the playoffs, and Van Gundy not quite living up to expectations the team decided to move in a new direction.
“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.”
When a new coach and president take over, it means the team could certainly head in a different direction than the trio of Blake Griffin, Andre Drummond, and Reggie Jackson.
Pistons big man Andre Drummond, however, already took to Instagram following the departure of Van Gundy to say he's not going anywhere.
https://twitter.com/erisllangos/status/993542721037094913
It would be shocking to see Drummond traded, but it is the NBA so anything is possible.
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