Sources: Pistons Want Van Gundy Back, to Restructure Front Office

Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores wants Stan Van Gundy to return as coach for the final year of his contract, but would prefer for that scenario to include structural changes to the franchise’s front office, league sources told ESPN.

As president of basketball operations and head coach, Van Gundy has had full authority on player personnel and staffing — but Gores has suggested changes that, so far, Van Gundy is resisting, league sources said.

Van Gundy and Bower inherited a floundering franchise in need of an overhaul, winning just 32 games in Van Gundy’s first year at the helm. The Pistons have missed the playoffs in three of the coach’s four years on the job, including each of the past two. Their only playoff berth under Van Gundy came in 2015-16, when they earned the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference with a 44-38 record before losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the opening round.

Sources: Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN