Report: Former Magic G.M. Otis Smith to Coach Pistons' NBA D-League Team?

Since coming into office as the new President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach of the Detroit Pistons, Stan Van Gundy has continued to otherwise surround himself with familiar faces with whom he has experienced success with in the past.

With a new NBA D-League team in Grand Rapids, the Pistons will look to develop a rhythm and create some unity between the two squads, ensuring great communication and a seamless transition throughout.

Keeping that in mind, it makes sense that Van Gundy is an eyeing yet another well-known confidant of his to coach the Drive during the team's inaugural season.

According to ESPN's Marc Stein, Otis Smith is in talks to become the team's first head coach. The two sides are reportedly nearing a deal. Of course, Smith served as General Manager (and President of Basketball Operations soon after) of the Magic while Van Gundy was coaching in Orlando. The two were said to have a decent working relationship.

The Pistons have been considering hiring Smith in some sort of capacity for quite some time now, though such a D-League position comes as a bit of a surprise. The former Magic G.M.'s name was previously tied to a front office position before Van Gundy ultimately filled out his staff by hiring others.