The Detroit Pistons and their President of Basketball Operations/Head Coach Stan Van Gundy have reportedly agreed to party ways after four years, according to ESPN.
Van Gundy, who had one year and $7 million remaining on his original five-year deal, led the Pistons to a 39-43 this season, as they missed the playoffs for the second straight season. During SVG's tenure in Detroit, the Pistons only made the playoffs once in the 2015-16 campaign, and they lost in the first round.
Pistons owner Tom Gores released a statement today, citing the team's lack of progress over the last two seasons as a reason that Van Gundy will not return for the final year of his contract.
"We have decided that this change is necessary to take our basketball organization to the next level,” Gores said in a released statement, via NBA.com. “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.
“But over the past two seasons our team has not progressed, and we decided that a change is necessary to regain our momentum,” Gores said.
The Pistons finished with the 12th worst record in the NBA this season and unless they land in the Top-3 at the draft lottery (just a 2.5% chance), their first round pick will go to the Los Angeles Clippers as part of the Blake Griffin trade.
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