Detroit Pistons hire former Toronto Raptors coach Dwane Casey.
DETROIT — Dwane Casey lost his job in Toronto because the Raptors wanted to advance further in the playoffs.
In Detroit, it would be an accomplishment if Casey can simply get the Pistons into the playoffs.
The Pistons hired the NBA
Coach of the Year finalist Monday, hoping he can help the threetime NBA championship franchise regularly reach the postseason and eventually compete again for titles.
“Dwane is one of the most successful and highly respected coaches in our league,” Pistons owner Tom Gores said. “He’s a great communicator and a leader who will connect with our players and accelerate their growth. Having spent many hours with Dwane over the last few weeks, I’m confident he is the right person to get us to the next level.”
A month after being fired by the Raptors, Casey agreed to a fiveyear deal to become head coach of the Pistons.
Casey led Toronto to a team-record 59 victories this year and helped the franchise earn the top seed in the Eastern Conference for the first time, a performance that won him coach of the year honors from his peers at the National Basketball Coaches Association. He had one year remaining on a three-year, $18 million extension when he was fired shortly after Toronto was swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was 320-238 in seven seasons and is Toronto’s winningest coach.
The Pistons said Casey already has started work, including meetings with players, and will be introduced at a news conference next week.
Detroit had been looking for a coach for more than month since firing Stan Van Gundy, who was also its president of basketball operations.