Detroit Pistons hire former Memphis Grizzlies coach

Now that JB Bickerstaff has assembled his Detroit Pistons coaching staff, changes are still taking place. On Sunday, it was reported that another assistant would be joining the organization.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Vitaly Potapenko plans to become an assistant coach on Bickerstaff’s team. He joins the Pistons after spending some time with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Potapenko is a former player who entered the NBA after leaving Wright State in 1996. He was selected 12th overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers. The veteran center’s time in the NBA ended with a run with the Sacramento Kings in 2007.

After spending a season in Spain, Potapenko returned to the NBA as a coach in the developmental G League, starting with the Indiana Pacers affiliate. In 2010, Potapenko got his first assistant job in the NBA after being promoted by the Pacers. In 2012, Potapenko coached for the Golden State Warriors’ G League affiliate before reuniting with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2013.

After a four-year stint in Cleveland, Potapenko joined the staff of the Memphis Grizzlies. Potapenko comes from the Memphis organization and has a reputation for player development, which is important for Detroit as they are still in the midst of a rebuild.

This offseason, the Pistons went on the hunt for a new head coach for the second season in a row. Despite signing Monty Williams to a six-year contract last summer following the departure of Dwane Casey, the Pistons’ new front office decided to part ways with Williams early.

After a search that included considering a handful of candidates, the Pistons ultimately selected JB Bickerstaff to succeed him after he left the Cavaliers.

So far, Bickerstaff hasn’t finalized the Pistons’ new coaching group, but there have been a handful of changes this summer. The addition of Potapenko is just the latest.