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Gores to meet with Van Gundy next week to discuss future

By Brenden Welper

DETROIT, MI - APRIL 09: Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores looks on during a game against the Toronto Raptors at Little Caesars Arena on April 9, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Toronto won the game 108-98. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - APRIL 09: Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores looks on during a game against the Toronto Raptors at Little Caesars Arena on April 9, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Toronto won the game 108-98. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Detroit Pistons’ owner Tom Gores spoke to the media during halftime of Monday’s 108-98 loss to the Toronto Raptors.  He remains noncommittal on Stan Van Gundy’s job status.  But Gores said that the two will meet next week to discuss the future.

At halftime of Monday’s 108-98 loss to the Toronto Raptors at Little Caesars Arena, Detroit Pistons’ owner Tom Gores met with members of the media.

He made one thing clear: the Pistons have to make some changes.

But Gores didn’t specify as to what those changes might entail.  Not surprisingly, many of the questions focused around Stan Van Gundy’s future with the franchise.

Van Gundy was named head coach and president of basketball operations back in the spring of 2014.  He was given a five-year, $35 million contract that will expire at the end of the 2018-19 season.

Under his watch, the Pistons have compiled a record of 151-175.  They’ve made the playoffs just once in that span – a first round appearance in 2016, where they were ultimately swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Van Gundy has swung some pretty remarkable deals in his tenure.  Reggie Jackson, Tobias Harris, Avery Bradley and Blake Griffin were all brought in via trade.

Not all of those moves panned out.  But you can’t accuse him of not getting creative.  Detroit has never been a free agent destination.  So the only way Van Gundy could add already-proven talent was through a trade.

Yet for every respectable trade, there seemed to be a poor free agent signing that quickly followed.  Jodie Meeks was given a three-year, $19.5 million contract in July 2014.  Hampered by injuries, Meeks appeared in just 63 games over the course of two seasons.

Then there was the signing of Jon Leuer in July 2016.  The free agent power forward inked a four-year, $41 million contract.  He had a dissapointing campaign in 2016-17, and was lost this season due to an injury suffered on Oct. 31.

Whatever the future may hold for Van Gundy, one thing is clear.  Pistons’ fans will know the answer in the coming weeks.

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