The Pistons are reportedly prepared to make Stan Van Gundy one of the highest-paid coaches in the NBA, according to a report from Adrian Wojnarowski:
Stan Van Gundy and Detroit are negotiating on a five-year, $35M deal, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) May 13, 2014
When Doc Rivers signed with the Los Angeles Clippers to assume control of their front office while serving as head coach, it was reported that he agreed to a 3-year, $21 million contract. If Woj is correct, Van Gundy would receive the same annual salary with two more years. Head coaching salaries aren't nearly as easy to track down as player salaries, but according to this list, Gregg Popovich is the only other head coach in the league making at least $6 million.
Say what you will about the wisdom over such a contract, but I'd argue that it's a necessity -- as I mentioned earlier, the Pistons have gone through 10 coaches in 15 years, and five in the last six. Even if Joe Dumars and his itchy trigger finger (or his questionable eye for coaching talent) is no longer in control, no established coach will take this job without an extraordinary degree of job security.
Update: File this one under "for whatever it's worth:"
Had a caller today who said his source said 6/36 for SVG in Detroit. Talked to caller off air and his source is a good one. #Pistons
— Matt Dery (@dery1051) May 13, 2014