The Detroit Pistons have decided to part ways with head coach Stan Van Gundy after missing the postseason for the third time in four seasons, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Since Van Gundy was the president of basketball operations and coach of the team, the franchise intends to keep the jobs separate from now on.
Van Gundy and owner Tom Gores met recently to square out goals for the organization, a talk which has now resulted as the end of a four-year reign as the boss in the Motor City.
Over a press release, Gores noted Van Gundy wanted to return to finish the 2018-19 season, the last of his contract, “But over the past two seasons our team has not progressed, and we decided that a change is necessary to regain our momentum,” per NBA.com's David Aldridge.
One particular candidate that could take Van Gundy's front office job is former NBA shooting guard Brent Barry.
The Pistons are expected to enter the coaching market very soon, following the footsteps of the recently-eliminated Milwaukee Bucks.
The team had also been rumored to consider franchise star Chauncey Billups for a role within the organization, though the latter declined being in conversations with the franchise out of respect for Van Gundy's position.
While the Pistons might not have contacted Billups, it doesn't mean there hasn't been any interest, as the 2004 NBA Finals MVP was previously considered for a general manager job with the Cleveland Cavaliers, which he turned down.
Most of Detroit woes were attributed to a plague of injuries during the past few seasons, but the team found itself ultimately suffering even after the blockbuster trade for Blake Griffin prior to the trade deadline.
The trade reportedly wasn't all Van Gundy, as everyone in the organization was on board to make it happen, according to ESPN's Zach Lowe — at least giving the Pistons a steady foundation moving forward.
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