Gilbert Arenas Names His Former Coach as the Ideal Option for the Pistons: “He’s Seen All High-Level Type of Guards”

The Detroit Pistons recently fired Monty Williams after just one season and ended up owing him about $60 million. The now jobless head coach will earn more than many athletes, including the highest-paid WNBA stars. As for the Pistons, the franchise has been scouting for HC options across the market, with few options available. NBA veteran Gilbert Arenas has given GM Troy Weaver an idea of who the franchise could look into next.

“Most of these kids are on the offensive side. They need a coach who can talk it, and walk it a little bit. You’re talking about somebody who is young enough to play they a** one-on-one, can still outshoot them, and is going to say, and speak the same language, that they kind of speak. That’s probably Sam Cassell,” Arenas said on the ‘Gil’s Arena’ podcast recently.

Cassell joined the league as an assistant coach under Flip Saunder for the Washington Wizards in 2009. He has had quite a successful run since then, being credited for player development and more recently, winning his fourth championship as a coach when the Celtics lifted their 18th banner. Between the two ends, Cassel has also coached the 76ers and the Clippers to be favored for an HC job soon. Considerate of all, Arenas finds a worthy coach in Cassell.

“He’s seen all high-level type of guards. So when you’re talking about Cade [Cunningham], this is the perfect dude for you because he has seen me, John Wall, he was with [Rajon] Rondo, to see Stephon [Marbury],”

In addition to that, Arenas pointed out that Cassell also coached another NBA great Chris Paul, when he was the Los Angeles Clippers’ assistant coach. The point Arenas makes is that Cassell’s experience in dealing with superstar guards is what makes him a suitable option for the Pistons. However, it looks like he isn’t on the Pistons’ list.

Detroit Pistons eye former Cavs head coach to replace Monty Williams

Former Cleveland Cavaliers head coach JB Bickerstaff is one of the options for the Pistons, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports. Along with Bickerstaff, Mavericks and Timberwolves assistants Sean Sweeney and Micah Nori are also on the radar. But it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if Bickerstaff lands the role with the Pistons. There are very few head coaches on the market right now with more experience than the 45-year-old.

He has had five stints as an assistant coach in the NBA, including the likes of Timberwolves, Cavaliers, and Rockets. Before moving to the Cavs, Bickerstaff was the head coach of the Grizzlies from 2017 to 2019. That was enough to land him his next dig at the Cavs, where he was an assistant for a brief period before taking over the lead. That was the start of his longest-serving HC stint.

With a record of 255 wins in 463 games (.468), Bickerstaff could certainly be a good option for the Pistons. Sam Cassell could also be successful with the franchise like Arenas pointed out, but he doesn’t seem like a viable option for them right now. It would be interesting to see who takes over next. Who do you think should be the Pistons’ next head coach?

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.