Detroit Pistons: Differences between Dwane Casey and Stan Van Gundy

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 25: Head coach Dwane Casey of the Detroit Pistons talks with Blake Griffin #23 at Little Caesars Arena on October 25, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 110-103. 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 - OCTOBER 25: Head coach Dwane Casey of the Detroit Pistons talks with Blake Griffin #23 at Little Caesars Arena on October 25, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 110-103. 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, MI – OCTOBER 25: Head Coach Dwane Casey of the Detroit Pistons coaches during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 25, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 25: Head Coach Dwane Casey of the Detroit Pistons coaches during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 25, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Dwane Casey available

Coinciding with the discouraging end to the Van Gundy era in Detroit was the end of Dwane Casey era in Toronto.

Fed up with a third-consecutive playoff series loss to the LeBron James led Cleveland Cavaliers, the Toronto Raptors’ management decided to make a change at the coaching position.

Casey, who was named Coach of the Year in 2017-18, was fired a few days after a franchise-record 59-win season concluded.

Toronto’s loss ended up being Detroit’s gain, as the team decided to hire Casey with five-year-deal with an average value of $7 million per year.

The move was widely seen as a slam dunk for a team that needs to win now. Especially with the now-veteran composition of the roster, a first-time coach wasn’t in the cards and Casey was the best coach on the market at the time.