Stuck in neutral, Detroit Pistons and Stan Van Gundy could be looking at shakeup this offseason

Is there a shakeup possible in Detroit this offseason?

Given where the Pistons are in the Eastern Conference, currently fighting for one of the final playoff spots with 20 games remaining, anything is certainly possible with regard to Stan Van Gundy, who holds dual titles as coach and team president.

The Pistons, who lost in overtime Friday in Orlando, have been a mixed bag this season. They executed a big trade for Blake Griffin, who gives the team a notable star, and the initial hit with Griffin was positive. Yet the club still remains mired in mediocrity, and even worse, attendance in the new arena has been spotty at best.

Everything falls on Van Gundy, who created the roster and therefore bears some responsibility. The number of coach/GMs dwindled last summer when the Clippers retained Doc Rivers as coach only, and it could be that a similar fate awaits Van Gundy should the Pistons fail to make the playoffs.

It’s all an unsettled situation, so says Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press:

Recent published reports from the New York Times and the Sporting News have increased the speculation on the Pistons president and coach who is nearing the end of the fourth year of the five-year deal he signed in May 2014.

The speculation ranges from Van Gundy having to relinquish personnel control to owner Tom Gores completely ending the Van Gundy era if the Pistons fail to reach the playoffs.

Van Gundy declined to comment on the speculation early Friday morning.

“Nothing’s been broached with me so I’m not going to comment on it,” Van Gundy said.

The rumors will continue.

In Van Gundy’s defense, the Pistons are 11 games over .500 with a completely healthy Reggie Jackson over the last three seasons.

He was one of the league’s best clutch scorers during the 2015-16 season when the Pistons reached the playoffs for the only time under Van Gundy.

The point guard is close to a return from the severely sprained right ankle that has sidelined him since the night after Christmas.