Stephen Silas, Target for Celtics Coaching Staff, Signs With Detroit Pistons

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Stephen Silas has agreed to join the Detroit Pistons as their top assistant coach. Silas served as head coach of the Houston Rockets for three seasons before being fired in April.

Prior to Tuesday, the Boston Celtics were expected to bring Silas onto Joe Mazzulla’s staff. The speculation started during the playoffs, when Silas was spotted with Celtics president Brad Stevens at a team practice.

In addition to his upbringing in Boston and two decades of coaching experience in the NBA, Silas’ personal connection to the franchise made him an interesting candidate. The 49-year-old is the son of the late Paul Silas, who won two championships with the Celtics during the 1970s.

Silas’ move to the Pistons was announced less than 24 hours after Sam Cassell was officially named to Boston’s coaching staff. Cassell won a championship with the Celtics in 2008 and served as an assistant coach under Doc Rivers for nearly a decade.

Silas' anticipated role as Detroit’s top assistant coach may have been the deciding factor, especially if he has ambitions of working as a head coach in the future. He wouldn’t rank as highly within the hierarchy of Boston’s coaching staff.

The Celtics will look to hire more assistant coaches during the offseason.