Pistons reward HC J.B. Bickerstaff with contract extension 

In his second season as head coach for the Pistons after five years with the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Pistons have gone 104-60 over the past two seasons and have posted back-to-back playoff appearances.

Ironically, the Pistons must now face the Cavaliers in the second round of the NBA's Eastern Conference playoffs.

The Cavs fired Bickerstaff because they believed he couldn't get them over the hump. They replaced him with Kenny Atkinson, who has gone 116-48 over the past two seasons in Cleveland and just helped the Cavaliers beat the Toronto Raptors in Round 1 of the playoffs.

Bickerstaff was the interim coach in 2020 in Cleveland, replacing John Beilein. He went 170-159 in five seasons with the Cavs.

J.B. Bickerstaff has earned his extension with Detroit Pistons

Bickerstaff, 47, had originally signed a four-year deal with Detroit with a fifth-year team option.

Under his leadership, Cade Cunningham has become a two-time All-Star and All-NBA superstar. Center Jalen Duren made the All-Star team this season.

Before Bickerstaff, Detroit had the NBA's worst record for two consecutive seasons. In his first season as head coach, he took the Pistons from 14 victories to 60 in 2025-26.