The Detroit Pistons have hired J.B. Bickerstaff as their new head coach, following the team's dismissal of Monty Williams after one season and a league-worst record of 14-68 in the 2023-24 NBA season.
Bickerstaff, who previously coached the Cleveland Cavaliers for four seasons, led them to two consecutive playoff appearances and a conference semifinals berth. He was let go by the Cavs after their second-round exit in the 2023-24 playoffs.
The Pistons' new president of basketball operations, Trajan Langdon, has been actively reshaping the franchise since taking over. Detroit declined a $19 million option for Evan Fournier and extended a qualifying offer to Simone Fontecchio while acquiring Tim Hardaway Jr. from Dallas in a trade.
Bickerstaff's tenure with the Cavaliers saw him go 170-159 in the regular season and 6-11 in the playoffs. He took over as interim coach when John Beilein walked away from Cleveland during the 2019-20 season and was later promoted to head coach.
The Pistons are hoping to sign Cade Cunningham, their No. 1 draft pick, to a long-term contract extension and prioritize using their salary cap space to take on veteran contracts that will be paired with future draft picks.
Bickerstaff's hiring comes as the NBA enters free agency season. The Pistons went into the offseason with $50 million in salary cap space, desperate for an influx of talent to play alongside Cunningham.
The Detroit Pistons have not won a playoff game since 2008.