Dec 18, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons mascot Hooper before the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
The Detroit Pistons are one of many teams that are searching for a new head coach. Detroit has one of the best young rosters in the league. Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey have the potential to develop into one of the best backcourts in the league. James Wiseman and Jalen Duren are young promising big men. It is a desirable job for anyone. However, the coaching landscape could cause the Pistons to have to settle for a first-time head coach.
Detroit Pistons Head Coach Search
Early on, the Pistons were interviewing mostly first-time candidates. Charles Lee and Kevin Ollie have reportedly been interviewed. Then the floodgates of coaches opened up. Mike Budenholzer, Monty Williams, and Doc Rivers were all fired. Nick Nurse was also let go and is considered a top coaching candidate. While initially, this was good for the Pistons as more good coaches entered the pool, it soon came apparent that there might be some problems nabbing one of the top coaches.
Better Jobs Out There
While the Pistons’ job is great, it doesn’t rival the others. Milwaukee has Giannis Antetokounmpo and a roster that is ready to win now. The Suns have Kevin Durant and Devin Booker who are top fifteen players in the league. Even Philadelphia isn’t undesirable with the 2023 MVP of the league in Joel Embiid on the team. The top coaching candidates will likely want to prioritize those jobs over the project which is the Detroit Pistons. It seems unlikely that Budenholzer would choose to take on the project of the young core when he could walk into a situation with Durant and Booker with a new owner that is ready to spend.
Still Hope
There is still a glimmer of hope. First off, between Budenholzer, Nurse, Williams, and Rivers, that is four coaches for three premier jobs. The Pistons could still get one of those four albeit the one that was left out. In the case of this young team, it might be better to bring in a top assistant. Coaches like Darvin Ham, Mike Brown, and Will Hardy have seen success while spending years as an assistant.
The Detroit Pistons really need to get the head coach hire right. They need to figure out if this is a core that they can compete with. Next season they will be expected to have some success in the Easter Conference and possibly compete for a play-in spot.
