AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) — Ed Stefanski can maintain a sense of humor about the challenges facing the Detroit Pistons."I wouldn't be here if things were rosy, is the way I look at it," said Stefanski, a senior executive with the Pistons. "And I tell that in our meetings when people want to say, oh, you know, this and that. I said, 'You guys wouldn't be here if things were good.'"Stefanski arrived as part of a front office overhaul last offseason, and this week was his first trade deadline with Detroit. The Pistons acquired guard Svi Mykhailiuk from the Lakers and center Thon Maker from the Bucks, giving up Reggie Bullock and Stanley Johnson in the process. The moves netted Detroit a couple young players but did little to change the overall outlook for the franchise.The Pistons have a lot of money tied up in Blake Griffin, Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson, and although Griffin has remained healthy and played like a star this season, Detroit was 24-29 heading into Friday night's matchup... [More]

Vince Carter could have gone anywhere.To a contender, to chase a ring. To retirement, because he has nothing left to prove. To television, which seems like it will be his next vocation whenever his playing days end.Instead, he chose Atlanta — a young team, a rebuilding team, a team that probably has minimal chance of making the playoffs.And he's happy."I'm with a great bunch of guys," Carter said. "I enjoy helping young guys who want to learn, who are willing to be coached and let you coach them and ask questions. It's a small thing, but it's a major thing — because if you're asking questions, that means you're trying to learn and grow. And these guys are all great."He's the NBA's oldest active player, someone who turns 42 next month. When he was drafted in June 1998, neither Trae Young nor Kevin Huerter had been born yet. And they're the starting backcourt for the Hawks this season, Carter's 21st in the league, with Atlanta being the eighth team he's played with.Carter talked with Dwyane... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Once the Detroit Pistons traded for Blake Griffin last season, their roster was largely set for the foreseeable future.When that deal wasn't enough to push the Pistons into the playoffs, they made the easiest changes they could in the offseason, hiring a new coach and overhauling the front office.Stan Van Gundy is out and Dwane Casey is in on the Detroit bench, but the team Casey will coach isn't much different than the group that went 39-43 last season. The Pistons will hope for a nice boost from their new coach and some better health for key players. With Griffin, Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson, Detroit has an intriguing nucleus, but those three were rarely on the court together in 2017-18."Our expectations should be high," Griffin said. "In the East, with our roster, I don't see why getting home court in the playoffs is not a reasonable expectation."The Pistons appeared headed toward a season like that before Jackson went down with an ankle injury in late December.... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Pistons have a new coach — and the usual amount of optimism that accompanies such a big change.What they really could use this season is a healthy point guard.The Pistons are hopeful Reggie Jackson will be ready to play by the start of the season, although he's still working his way back into shape following an ankle injury. Jackson went down in late December, derailing what had been a promising start for Detroit in 2017-18. Ed Stefanski, a new senior executive for the Pistons, sounds optimistic about Jackson's health, but the point guard's recovery isn't complete yet."Reggie is fully healed. We did an MRI I think a couple weeks ago, and it's perfect," Stefanski said at media day Monday. "It's just now basketball shape, and he hasn't played all summer long."Detroit got off to a 19-14 start last season, but after Jackson's injury the team floundered, and Stan Van Gundy's tenure eventually came to an end. The Pistons now have a new coach in Dwane Casey and a new... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Dwane Casey looks at the roster of the Detroit Pistons and sees a core of players capable of a lot more than the team accomplished last season."Our time is now," Casey said.The Pistons introduced Casey as their new coach Wednesday, over a week after hiring him to replace Stan Van Gundy. Casey inherits a team built around Blake Griffin, Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson, but the roster has little flexibility and the team gave up its first-round draft pick this year to acquire Griffin.In other words, Detroit's performance in 2018-19 may depend largely on what Casey can get out of a group that fell short under Van Gundy."I'm telling the guys now: We're not developing, we're not two or three years away," Casey said. "We want to win right now."Casey took the Detroit job after being fired by the Toronto Raptors. He's a finalist for NBA coach of the year after leading the Raptors to a team-record 59 wins this past season, but he lost his job after Toronto was swept in the playoffs... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Dwane Casey lost his job in Toronto because the Raptors wanted to advance further in the playoffs.In Detroit, it would be an accomplishment if Casey can simply get the Pistons into the playoffs.The Pistons hired the NBA coach of the year finalist Monday, hoping he can help the three-time NBA championship franchise regularly reach the postseason and eventually compete again for titles."Dwane is one of the most successful and highly respected coaches in our league," Pistons owner Tom Gores said. "He's a great communicator and a leader who will connect with our players and accelerate their growth. Having spent many hours with Dwane over the last few weeks, I'm confident he is the right person to get us to the next level."A month after being fired by the Raptors , Casey agreed to a five-year deal to become head coach of the Pistons, two people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Monday. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the team had not announced... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Dwane Casey did not stay out of the NBA for long.A month after being fired by the Toronto Raptors, Casey agreed to a five-year deal to become head coach of the Detroit Pistons, two people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Monday. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the team had not announced the move, which was first reported by ESPN.Casey led Toronto to a franchise-record 59 wins this year and helped them earn the top seed in the Eastern Conference for the first time. The NBA coach of the year finalist was fired shortly after Toronto was swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers with one year remaining on a three-year, $18 million dollar extension. He was 320-238 in seven seasons and is Toronto's winningest coach.Detroit has been looking for a coach for more than month since firing Stan Van Gundy, who was also its president of basketball operations. Michigan coach John Beilein was a finalist for the job before withdrawing his name from consideration... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — When the Detroit Pistons hired Stan Van Gundy in 2014, owner Tom Gores called it the most important decision his organization had made.Van Gundy didn't make it to the end of his five-year contract, and now the Pistons need a plan for a future without him. Multiple plans, perhaps.Van Gundy's ouster leaves Detroit with no coach and a leadership void in the front office. That's what happens when a team entrusts one person with so much authority, then decides to move in a different direction. If healthy, the Pistons may have the talent to reach the playoffs next season, but the franchise's long-term strategy is the more pressing question.The team announced Monday that Van Gundy wouldn't be back as coach or president of basketball operations. There was no news conference — just a release in which Detroit said it would begin the search for a new head of basketball operations and a new coach. Gores spoke highly of Van Gundy while saying the team needed a change to reach the next... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — After four seasons of mostly mediocre results, the Detroit Pistons are moving on without Stan Van Gundy.He won't return as president of basketball operations and he isn't staying on as Detroit's coach, either.Van Gundy held both those roles for four years, and at times the Pistons seemed to be making progress. But they made the playoffs only once during his tenure, in 2016, and the team announced his departure Monday. Owner Tom Gores said it was a difficult decision."I am grateful to Stan for everything he's done for the Pistons and for the city of Detroit," Gores said. "He rebuilt the culture of our basketball team, re-instilled a winning attitude and work ethic, and took us to the playoffs two years ago. He went all-in from Day One to positively impact this franchise and this community."But over the past two seasons our team has not progressed, and we decided that a change is necessary to regain our momentum," Gores said.The Pistons went 39-43 this season, missing the playoffs... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — After four seasons of mostly mediocre results, the Detroit Pistons are moving on without Stan Van Gundy.He won't return as president of basketball operations and he isn't staying on as Detroit's coach, either.Van Gundy held both those roles for four years, and at times the Pistons seemed to be making progress. But they made the playoffs only once during his tenure, in 2016, and the team announced his departure Monday. Owner Tom Gores said it was a difficult decision."I am grateful to Stan for everything he's done for the Pistons and for the city of Detroit," Gores said. "He rebuilt the culture of our basketball team, re-instilled a winning attitude and work ethic, and took us to the playoffs two years ago. He went all-in from Day One to positively impact this franchise and this community."But over the past two seasons our team has not progressed, and we decided that a change is necessary to regain our momentum," Gores said.The Pistons went 39-43 this season, missing the playoffs... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — After four seasons of mostly mediocre results, the Detroit Pistons are moving on without Stan Van Gundy.He won't return as president of basketball operations and he isn't staying on as Detroit's coach, either.Van Gundy held both those roles for four years, and at times the Pistons seemed to be making progress. But they made the playoffs only once during his tenure, in 2016, and the team announced his departure Monday. Owner Tom Gores said it was a difficult decision."I am grateful to Stan for everything he's done for the Pistons and for the city of Detroit," Gores said. "He rebuilt the culture of our basketball team, re-instilled a winning attitude and work ethic, and took us to the playoffs two years ago. He went all-in from Day One to positively impact this franchise and this community."But over the past two seasons our team has not progressed, and we decided that a change is necessary to regain our momentum," Gores said.The Pistons went 39-43 this season, missing the playoffs... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Stan Van Gundy will not return to the Detroit Pistons as coach or president of basketball operations.The Pistons announced Van Gundy's departure Monday, with owner Tom Gores saying it was a difficult decision. He said Van Gundy wanted to return for a fifth season with the team."I am grateful to Stan for everything he's done for the Pistons and for the city of Detroit," Gore said. "He rebuilt the culture of our basketball team, re-instilled a winning attitude and work ethic, and took us to the playoffs two years ago. He went all-in from Day One to positively impact this franchise and this community."But over the past two seasons our team has not progressed, and we decided that a change is necessary to regain our momentum," Gores said.The Pistons went 39-43 this season, missing the playoffs for the third time in four years under Van Gundy. They've made the postseason just once in the past nine seasons, and even a blockbuster trade for Blake Griffin wasn't enough to salvage... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Pistons can certainly attest to how long the NBA season is.For two months, they looked like a team on the rise in the Eastern Conference during a 19-14 start that included victories at Golden State, Minnesota, Oklahoma City and Boston. Then an ankle injury to point guard Reggie Jackson derailed Detroit's season, and even a bold trade for Blake Griffin wasn't enough to push the Pistons to the playoffs.Detroit's promising start now feels like a long time ago, and the big question for this offseason is the status of Stan Van Gundy, who has just one playoff appearance in four seasons as coach and president of basketball operations."I think we have to make changes," owner Tom Gores said earlier this week.It's not clear if those changes will involve moving on from Van Gundy, who never had much of a chance to coach the Pistons at full strength after Jackson's ankle injury Dec. 26. He didn't come back until the latter half of March.After faltering badly following Jackson's... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores says he's undecided about Stan Van Gundy's future with the franchise."I wouldn't make a decision without Stan," Gores said at halftime of Monday night's 108-98 loss to the Toronto Raptors. "He's been our partner for four years."Gores said changes need to be made because the team isn't winning enough, adding none will happen until he speaks with Van Gundy. The two are expected to meet next week."I think he deserves the conversation," Gore said. "He's been good for us."The Pistons are 151-176 under Van Gundy as their coach and president of basketball operations. His 2016 team was swept in the first round of the playoffs.Detroit (38-43) will finish the season Wednesday night at Chicago, failing to make earn a spot in the postseason for the third time in Van Gundy's four years.Injuries were a big problem. Blake Griffin, Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson were only in the lineup together for four games."We probably need a few more games with them... [More]

Philadelphia wants to open the playoffs at home. Toronto wants home-court advantage all the way to the NBA Finals.How they get through some marquee games this week will go a long way in determining if they reach those goals.For the Raptors, it's a game Wednesday against the team right behind them. For the red-hot 76ers, it's the one just in front of them: LeBron James and the reigning East champs from Cleveland on Friday.Toronto hosts Boston, with both teams playing for the second straight night. The Raptors lost Tuesday in Cleveland and Boston later fell in Milwaukee, keeping the Raptors two games ahead with five to play.A win Wednesday and the Raptors will be on the verge of locking up the No. 1 seed. Lose their third consecutive game, and the door stays open for Boston to grab it for the second straight season. The Celtics trimmed three games off their deficit during a six-game winning streak that was snapped Tuesday, and would clinch the head-to-head tiebreaker with a win Wednesday."It's... [More]

Philadelphia wants to open the playoffs at home. Toronto wants home-court advantage all the way to the NBA Finals.How they get through some marquee games this week will go a long way in determining if they reach those goals.For the Raptors, it's a game Wednesday against the team right behind them. For the red-hot 76ers, it's the one just in front of them: LeBron James and the reigning East champs from Cleveland on Friday.Toronto hosts Boston, with both teams playing for the second straight night. The Raptors lost Tuesday in Cleveland and Boston later fell in Milwaukee, keeping the Raptors two games ahead with five to play.A win Wednesday and the Raptors will be on the verge of locking up the No. 1 seed. Lose their third consecutive game, and the door stays open for Boston to grab it for the second straight season. The Celtics trimmed three games off their deficit during a six-game winning streak that was snapped Tuesday, and would clinch the head-to-head tiebreaker with a win Wednesday."It's... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Blake Griffin sat with his injured ankle wrapped on one side of the locker room while Reggie Jackson dressed on the other.The Detroit Pistons didn't get to see much of them together on the court, part of the reason their playoff hopes are just about finished.So they're trying to take the positives from a strong finish in a season where so much else went wrong.Andre Drummond narrowly missed a second straight 20-20 game with 22 points and 17 rebounds, and the Pistons beat the New York Knicks 115-109 on Saturday for their fourth straight victory."It's been a long season. It's been a tough one for us. We're not where we necessarily envisioned ourselves, but like I said I'm just proud of the resiliency this team's had," Jackson said. "Despite what our record may say, coming in every day and trying to get better and continue to battle."Jackson and Anthony Tolliver each scored 17 points for the Pistons, who won for the sixth time in seven games despite playing without Griffin because... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Andre Drummond narrowly missed a second straight 20-20 game with 22 points and 17 rebounds, and the Detroit Pistons beat the New York Knicks 115-109 on Saturday for their fourth straight victory.Reggie Jackson and Anthony Tolliver each scored 17 points for the Pistons, who won for the sixth time in seven games despite playing without the injured Blake Griffin. Reggie Bullock added 16.Drummond was 8 for 13 from the floor and the formerly woeful free throw shooter was 6 of 8 from the line. The All-Star center had 24 points and 23 rebounds in a victory over Washington on Thursday and leads the NBA with seven 20-point, 20-rebound games this season.Griffin had an MRI Thursday on his right ankle that revealed a bone bruise. The Pistons said he will be re-evaluated in one week and a timetable for his return to action will be provided as appropriate.Michael Beasley scored 32 points and Trey Burke Jr. added 18 points and 15 assists for the Knicks, who have dropped three straight.... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Pistons capped a busy couple of weeks with an active deadline day.The Pistons acquired James Ennis from the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday for Brice Johnson and a 2022 second-round draft pick. It was the second deal announced by Detroit on the day of the NBA's trade deadline. The Pistons also acquired Jameer Nelson from Chicago.Detroit made a major splash last week when it landed star forward Blake Griffin in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers. The Pistons acquired Johnson and Willie Reed in that deal along with Griffin, but now they're moving on without Reed and Johnson. Reed was traded in the deal for Nelson.The 6-foot-7 Ennis has averaged 6.9 points in 45 games this season.The Pistons had lost eight straight when they traded for Griffin. They've won five in a row since then, with Griffin available for four of those victories. Griffin will face his former team Friday night, when Detroit hosts the Clippers.The Pistons sent Avery Bradley and Tobias Harris to... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Quincy Acy sat out the Brooklyn Nets' game Wednesday night at Detroit because of a sprained right middle finger.The Nets also were without Caris LeVert, who was evaluated for a possible concussion after being knocked out of Tuesday night's game against Houston by a pick by Nene.The Pistons are still without point guard Reggie Jackson, who is sidelined because of a sprained right ankle.Brooklyn coach Kenny Atkinson said before the game that LeVert was still being evaluated. He is also listed with a sprained right knee.Acy is averaging 5.7 points.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball