A month after being fired by the Raptors, Dwane Casey lands with the Pistons.
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, two people familiar with the situation told the Associated Press on Monday. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the team had not announced the move.
Casey led Toronto to a team-record 59 wins this season, a performance that won him coach of the year honors from his peers at the National Basketball Coaches Association.
Casey had one year remaining on a threeyear, $18 million dollar extension when he was fired shortly after Toronto was swept by Cleveland.
He was 320-238 in seven seasons and is Toronto's winningest coach.
Detroit had been looking for a coach for more than month since firing Stan Van Gundy, who was also its president of basketball operations. In other NBA news:
Golden State general manager Bob Myers expects swift negotiations to re-sign two-time reigning NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant and coach Steve Kerr.
Durant could sign for as long as four years and about $160 million, and Myers is prepared to give him “whatever he wants.” Durant, 29, told ESPN that he could see himself walking away from the game at age 35.
Kerr has one year remaining on his five-year contract, so he would receive a multiyear extension.