Stan Van Gundy will not return to the Detroit Pistons as coach or president of basketball operations.
The Pistons announced Van Gundy's departure Monday, with owner Tom Gores saying it was a difficult decision. He said Van Gundy wanted to return for a fifth season with the team.
The Pistons went 39-43 this season, missing the playoffs for the third time in four years under Van Gundy. They've made the postseason just once in the past nine seasons, and even a blockbuster trade for Blake Griffin wasn't enough to salvage 2017-18.
The Pistons went 152-176 over the past four seasons under Van Gundy, and his personnel decisions have come under more criticism than his coaching. Detroit hasn't been able to make the most of its draft position, spending first-round picks on Stanley Johnson, Henry Ellenson and Luke Kennard. This past season, Kennard shot over 40 percent from three-point range, but he was taken one spot ahead of Jazz rookie of the year candidate Donovan Mitchell in last year's draft. Mitchell blossomed into a Rookie of the Year candidate.
The trade for Griffin was a bold one for the Pistons and gives them limited flexibility going forward. Not only did the team take on Griffin's big contract, but Detroit also sent a protected first-round draft pick to the Los Angeles Clippers in the deal.
Fizdale introduced
David Fizdale was officially announced as coach of the Knicks on Monday, saying he is hoping to "build the type of winning team the passionate fans of New York will be proud of." The Knicks announced the hiring after agreeing to terms with the former Grizzlies coach last week.
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