Detroit Pistons’ Stan Van Gundy’s job is in jeopardy

Stan Van Gundy’s role with the Pistons is in danger according to Mitch Lawrence of Sporting News. His latest piece included Van Gundy’s questionable future in his list of NBA coaching rumors.

The Detroit Pistons are struggling and their head coach may have the first head to roll this offseason. Stan Van Gundy, Pistons Head Coach and President of Basketball Operations has held both titles since May 2014. According to Mitch Lawrence’s article yesterday on SportingNews.com, Van Gundy’s jobs are in jeopardy.

Lawrence noted:

"“Stan Van Gundy is expected to at least lose his role as team president in Detroit, if not also his coaching duties, with Pistons exec Arn Tellem waiting in the wings to take over the basketball operations”"

The Pistons are losers of three of their last four games; the last two of those losses by 16 and 19 respectively. Their record of 29-32 is three games back of the Miami Heat for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East. The Pistons are a game and a half ahead of the improving Charlotte Hornets who sit in tenth place.

“Speculation is that Van Gundy will need to make the playoffs to keep his coaching job,” Lawrence says.

Adjustments to the rotation and changes in Van Gundy’s philosophy on offense have not been able to pull the Pistons out of the gutter. Despite a dominating win last night over the Milwaukee Bucks, the Van Gundy is likely still on the hot seat.

Reggie Jackson‘s return could save Van Gundy’s job. However, the timetable for that return has not been clear. Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press says Van Gundy is hopeful Jackson can return to practice before the team’s six-game road trip coming up.

Van Gundy is 142-165 in four seasons in Detroit. His Pistons made the playoffs in 2016, but were swept in the first round by the Cleveland Cavaliers who went on to win the NBA Finals that year.