Detroit Pistons: 5 candidates to replace Stan Van Gundy as head coach

The Detroit Pistons are another team in the NBA looking for a head coach after firing Stan Van Gundy. Here’s a look at five potential candidates.

The Detroit Pistons made a power move prior to this year’s NBA Trade Deadline, trading for Los Angeles Clippers All-Star Blake Griffin in the hopes of making a push to postseason play.

That push never worked out for the Pistons and as a result, Stan Van Gundy was let go on May 7 after four seasons as head coach.

Van Gundy and the Detroit Pistons finished 39-43 in 2017-18. He led the team to one playoff appearance in his four years as head coach, something that became his downfall in the end. He guided Detroit to a 152-176 record in his tenure, finishing with a record above .500 in just one season (2015-16).

The issue for Van Gundy was finding a solid offensive attack as the team finished 22nd in the league in points per game (103.8) despite having a top-10 defense.

The good news for Detroit is most of their front-office contracts are due to expire this summer, so firing Van Gundy helps now as they look to push the organization to the next level. Their head coaching search could end rather quickly, though. Here’s a look at five potential candidates.