Sources: Johnson won't be Pistons' new coach

[Mike-Dub]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4311090

Sources: Johnson, Pistons can't agree By Marc Stein
ESPN.com
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Avery Johnson will not be the next coach of the Detroit Pistons.

The Detroit Pistons and the ESPN analyst broke off contract talks Tuesday after more than two days of negotiations, according to sources close to the process.

Sources told ESPN.com that the Pistons -- having paid both Flip Saunders and Michael Curry last season and still owing $5 million to Curry over the next two seasons -- were only willing to offer Johnson a two-year deal with a team option for a third season. It's believed that Johnson wanted no less than the security of a four-year contract, given where the Pistons are in the Eastern Conference hierarchy after a 39-43 season and the fact that Detroit is looking for its sixth coach in Joe Dumars' 10 seasons running the team's front office.

As ESPN.com reported late Monday, Dumars is now expected to turn to Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach John Kuester to replace Curry. TNT analyst Doug Collins withdrew from consideration last week and the only other known candidate is Boston Celtics associate head coach Tom Thibodeau, but sources say that Kuester's offensive expertise and history with the Pistons after working as an assistant under Larry Brown appeal strongly to Dumars.

Marc Stein covers the NBA for ESPN.com.

Tom Thibodeau still has a shot at getting the job.  As a person I want Tom to get a head coaching job... but as a Celtics fan I want him to stay here.

[Drucci]

I'm surprised Dumars didn't hire Johnson. 4 years was maybe too much but we're not sure where the Pistons are headed for the next years so I can understand Avery's desire to get some insurance that he wasn't going to get fired at the end of next season for example.

Now I hope they hire John Kuester and leave Thibs alone so we can benefit from his great defensive mind again this season.