Report: Pistons hiring Bickerstaff as new head coach
The Detroit Pistons are hiring J.B. Bickerstaff as their next head coach, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Bickerstaff agreed to a four-year deal with Detroit that includes a fifth-year team option in 2028-29, a source told Larry Lage of The Associated Press.
The ex-Cavaliers bench boss will replace Monty Williams, who the Pistons fired after he posted a league-worst 14-68 record in his lone season at the helm.
Detroit finished with the NBA's worst record last season for the second consecutive campaign. The Pistons haven't won a playoff game since 2008 and haven't made the postseason since 2019.
Bickerstaff will take over a young roster that includes former No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham, third-year point guard Jaden Ivey, and 2024 fifth overall pick Ron Holland.
The Pistons have approximately $50 million in cap space, per Wojnarowski.
Cleveland dismissed Bickerstaff in May shortly after its second-round exit to the Boston Celtics. He helped the Cavs capture their first non-LeBron James playoff series win since 1993, leading the team past the Orlando Magic in seven games this past postseason.
The Cavaliers have reportedly replaced Bickerstaff with former Brooklyn Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson.
Bickerstaff took over Cleveland's coaching position from John Beilein at the end of the 2019-2020 season and remained in the role for five campaigns. The Cavaliers made it to the postseason twice under his watch.
The 45-year-old has also had head coaching stints with the Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets.