The Pistons might be headed for a last-place finish, but there's no question this season was a step in the right direction. And for that, Dwane Casey is getting an extension.
General manager Troy Weaver is adding another year on Casey's contract that will keep him as the Pistons' head coach through the 2023-24 season, according to Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Pistons' 20-50 record this year says one thing. The growth of the club's core says another, and that's what matters to Weaver. He couldn't praise Casey enough when asked about the state of the Pistons' rebuild earlier this season.
"In spite of the record, I'm really pleased," Weaver said in March. "I can’t say enough about Dwane and his staff. Often when you’re going through this situation people will say, 'You might want to have a different coach or look at things differently.' But I absolutely believe and trust that we have the best coach in the world for what we’re going through. His steadiness, the way he sets the tone. They often say that the team takes on the personality of the coach, and that's happened."
According to Wojnarowski, Weaver has been particularly pleased with the development of rookies Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart, the progress of reclamation projects like Josh Jackson and Frank Jackson, the star turn of free agent acquisition Jerami Grant and the general competitiveness of the club throughout the season. Though outgunned, the Pistons frequently hung tight with the best teams in the league.
"These guys have been tremendous," Weaver went on. "They come in and do their job every day and that's who Coach Casey is. He’s really set the tone inside the ballclub of doing the right things and competing every day, whether it's in practice, shoot-arounds or games. And that’s afforded us to feel good of where we are in spite of the record."
The Pistons wrap up their season with a pair of games at home this weekend.