The Detroit Pistons' hunt for a new head coach is already progressing. After parting ways with Monty Williams on Wednesday, the Pistons were granted permission to interview three candidates. The coaching targets are Dallas Mavericks assistant Sean Sweeney, Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori, and former Cleveland Cavaliers head coach JB Bickerstaff, via ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
The moves made by newly hired President of Basketball Operations Trajan Langdon made it look like there was a chance the Pistons could keep Williams with the new regime. However, the front office came to a mutual agreement to proceed by finding a new voice to coach their young core.
Detroit announced its coaching decision after holding discussions regarding the best route for their future. Finishing 14-68 in 2023-24 signaled needed change for the franchise as it featured an NBA record 28-game losing streak.
Pistons begin their search for next head coach
The delay in Detroit announcing their decision makes sense considering the coaches that were still involved in the postseason. Sweeney and the Mavericks made it to the NBA Finals while Nori and the Timberwolves made it to the Western Conference Finals.
Nori has drawn great respect as an NBA head coaching candidate. The 50-year-old assistant coach was previously a part of Dwane Casey's coaching staff with the Pistons from 2018 through 2021. His professional coaching career started in 2009 with the Toronto Raptors and he has also worked with the Sacramento Kings, Denver Nuggets, Pistons, and Timberwolves.
Nori also has brief head coaching experience under his belt. Minnesota head coach Chris Finch suffered a knee injury in Game 4 in the first round against the Phoenix Suns. After a nasty collision with guard Mike Conley, Nori filled in for Finch for the rest of the postseason.
Sweeney also has built a credible reputation around the league as an assistant coach. He has been active under Jason Kidd's coaching staff with Dallas, Milwaukee Bucks, and the Brooklyn Nets.
Sweeney works closely on player development on both sides of the ball. One of his most noted signs of production is the progression of big man Dereck Lively II. Sweeney does pregame drills with Lively which helped turn him into a breakout performer in the playoffs for the Mavericks.
Bickerstaff's firing came off as one of the biggest surprises in the league last season. Bickerstaff played a big role in the defensive progression and the development of the young talent on the Cavaliers roster. Cleveland made postseason appearances in three of the last four seasons under Bickerstaff.
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