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How Cleveland Cavaliers' Coaching Hire Impacts Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons saw their rival hire a new head coach on Monday.
Justin Grasso|
Nov 14, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans acting head coach James Borrego changes a play from the bench against the Dallas Mavericks during the first half at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans acting head coach James Borrego changes a play from the bench against the Dallas Mavericks during the first half at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports | Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

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Detroit PistonsCleveland Cavaliers

On Monday, another NBA team concluded its search for a new head coach. Detroit Pistons rival Cleveland Cavaliers are set to bring on Golden State Warriors head coach Kenny Atkinson, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

With the Cavs finding J.B. Bickerstaff's replacement, the Pistons are left as the final team looking to fill the void of a fired head coach, as the LA Lakers brought on JJ Redick last week.

Although Atkinson wasn't considered an early candidate last week when it was revealed the Pistons would move on from Monty Williams, former Charlotte Hornets head coach James Borrego was one of the first prospects linked to the job.

At the time, Borrego was considered a favorite to replace Bickerstaff. Once it became apparent the Cavaliers were considering Atkinson, it shook up the landscape.

Atkinson started as an assistant with the New York Knicks before making his way to the Atlanta Hawks. In 2016, the Brooklyn Nets brought on Atkinson to become their head coach. Atkinson's stint in Brooklyn would last four seasons. The Nets went 118-190 during that stretch, making the playoffs once.

Since parting ways with the Nets in 2020, Atkinson joined the Golden State Warriors as an assistant under Steve Kerr. Although he planned to take over the Hornets' head coaching vacancy a couple of seasons ago, Atkinson opted to stay in Golden State. Now he inherits a talented team in Cleveland.

Meanwhile, the Pistons are guaranteed an opportunity to consider hiring Borrego without the Cavaliers taking him off the market. Borrego is described as a "prominent candidate" for Detroit's search, which is already underway.

So far, numerous candidates have been linked to the Pistons. In addition to Borrego, the Pistons are expected to consider Sean Sweeney, Micah Nori, and Bickerstaff. Currently, the Pistons are in no rush to find Monty Williams' replacement.

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Justin Grasso was a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s 76ers On SI Network. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoMedia

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