The Detroit Pistons are bolstering their coaching staff with some notable additions, according to multiple reports. J.B. Bickerstaff, who recently took the helm as head coach, has added experienced NBA hand Luke Walton and rising talent Kevin Burleson to his team. The Detroit Free Press reported that Walton, former head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings, is stepping in as the lead assistant, bringing championship experience and a solid coaching track record.
Burleson joins the Pistons' coaching staff after a stint as G League head coach for the Houston Rockets' affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski first revealed the hire yesterday. Although Burleson didn't have a lengthy NBA playing career, he has earned respect for his coaching acumen, particularly in player development, which is ideal for a young Pistons roster eager to return to competitiveness. ESPN noted Burleson's connection to the city through his brother, former Detroit Lions receiver Nate Burleson. Kevin himself expressed pride in continuing the family's sporting legacy in Detroit.
Walton's prior engagements included an impressive spell with the Golden State Warriors as an assistant and then interim head coach, where he led the team to a record-setting season, before moving on to lead the Lakers and then the Kings, according to the Detroit Free Press. His stint with Bickerstaff during the latter's time with the Cleveland Cavaliers appears to have laid the foundation for this new coaching partnership with the Pistons.
The addition of Burleson isn't just about family ties; his experience speaks volumes about his potential impact on the Pistons. He took the Vipers to the G League Finals in the 2022-2023 season, and though they couldn't clinch the title, his team finished strong in the next season by winning nearly 60 percent of their games but unfortunately were ousted in a playoff heartbreaker to Oklahoma City Blue, according to a statement obtained by si.com. Walton and Burleson are set to join a staff that includes Sidney Lowe, further deepening the bench strength of the Pistons’ leadership behind the scenes.
