7:14pm: The Pistons also intend to interview Borrego, according to Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press.
6:27pm: The Pistons plan to interview former Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff for their head coaching position, reports ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link). According to Wojnarowski, Detroit has also received permission to meet with Mavericks assistant Sean Sweeney and Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori.
Bickerstaff was just let go by the Pistons’ division rivals in Cleveland last month after he posted a 170-159 (.517) record across four-plus seasons with the Cavaliers, leading them to playoff appearances in 2023 and 2024 and a first-round series victory this spring. Bickerstaff also coached the Grizzlies from 2017-19 and was as an assistant for several teams before that, with stints in Charlotte, Minnesota, and Houston.
Sweeney, who began his NBA career in the Nets’ video room in 2011, has worked on Jason Kidd‘s staffs in Brooklyn, Milwaukee, and Dallas, and was also an assistant in Detroit under Dwane Casey from 2018-21. Casey remains with the Pistons in a front office role.
Nori is another veteran assistant who was on Casey’s staff from 2018-21. He worked for the Raptors, Kings, and Nuggets before that, and has been with the Timberwolves since 2021. Nori shared some of Chris Finch‘s head coaching duties during Minnesota’s playoff run this spring when Finch was unable to roam the sidelines due to knee surgery.
Sweeney and Nori have been hot names on the head coaching carousel in the past couple months. Sweeney was linked to the Lakers’ and Wizards’ vacancies, while Nori reportedly interviewed with the Cavaliers and Lakers. Both men were high on the list of potential Pistons candidates published by James L. Edwards III of The Athletic on Wednesday following Monty Williams‘ ouster.
According to Wojnarowski (Twitter link), the Pistons are expected to seek permission to interview more assistants from around the NBA.
One name to watch will be James Borrego of the Pelicans, who was atop Edwards’ list and was also mentioned by Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link) as a candidate who would receive serious consideration if he’s available. Multiple reports have suggested Borrego is the frontrunner for the only other available head coaching job, in Cleveland, so it’s unclear whether or not Detroit will get a chance to talk to him.
If I am 60 years old, I’d take Pistons job.
I want money.
If I am 30 years old, I’ll take Cavs job.
I want future.
Pistons need patience. They should hire an interim coach such as Mark Jackson, Steve Nash or Gary Payton I.
This is such an awful take, Darius Garland is about to demand a trade and the 2 best players for the Cavs are around 26/27 (Dmitch and Allen), without Garland the ONLY promising young player they have is Mobley and you can NOT build a franchise around him lol Pistons at least got multiple guys with potential
The Cavs don’t need to build around Mobley. They’re building around Mitchell and other than a couple tweaks here and there they done building. They’re good enough to win a title with a little injury luck and attrition.
Whomever the Pistons hire as head coach will most likely be the next head coach they fire. They’re a long way from being ready.
Not even close to a championship roster. maybe in the argument for the 8-10th best team in the league, but not in the top 5 discussion
Nash and Jackson do deserve another chance
Kenny Atkinson ……. just do it
Sam Cassell please!
Please hire JB lol
Some old man ramblings, why not have rules covering head coaches …. when they get fired while having a live contact and get picked up by another team, said new team will just assume the balance of the contract (until then, old team still bears it).
Something great and sticky with Monty still getting paid a ton, by two teams no less …. t makes for a thousand jokes and commentaries.
A bit further down, explore modifying the salary cap rules by including the salaries of the head coach and lead assistant (at the least).
I’m drunk.
Nate M?
There are worse coaches for a young, bad team than Bickerstaff. He can bring some stability and lead them to a decent level. They probably won’t reach contention level with him, but that franchise is far away from even thinking about contending anyway.
But I think they’ll go with a first time head coach.
I think James Borrego will be a great hire for the Detroit Pistons. I’ll rather see him be the head coach of the Detroit Pistons instead of the Cleveland Cavaliers.