Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 candidates to replace Tyronn Lue as head coach
4. Stan Van Gundy
- Record: 523-384 (.577)
- Last head coaching job: Detroit Pistons (2017-18)
Following the end of a second consecutive season where Detroit fell just out of reach of the NBA playoffs, Stan Van Gundy was relieved of his positions with the team last May.
This doesn’t mean that SVG doesn’t have plenty of coaching left in the tank, however. Much of his time spent with the Pistons will be remembered as a lesson on why it is less than wise to arm someone with the dual identities of head coach and front office executive.
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There is no refuting he left a bitter taste in the mouth of Detroit’s front office with deals like five years and $80 million for Reggie Jackson in the summer of 2015 or for his part in the highway robbery that was three years and $21 million for Langston Galloway in 2017. However, front office Van Gundy did, at least, deliver Blake Griffin to Motor City, and he seems to have found his second prime over the first few games of the season.
In any case, assuming head coach would be his only responsibility, Stan Van Gundy could be a great fit for Cleveland. With a large extension handed to Kevin Love in the offseason, the Cavs have a vested interest in Love returning to his Minnesota form and becoming the focal point of this team.
If anyone knows how to make a team play around a big man, it’s SVG. The Pistons were in the top half of the league in defensive rating the last three seasons Van Gundy was there as the head coach, which could be another promising sign for the Cavs, who currently rank last in the league. Stan Van Gundy has admitted that he feels “lost” not coaching, so a pairing of him and Cleveland could be very mutually beneficial.