Report: Pistons hiring Otis Smith to coach Grand Rapids D-League team

Otis Smith was once reportedly on the short list of potential general manager candidates for the general manager position -- a post that eventually went to Jeff Bower. But Smith is reportedly going to find his way into the organization, but not as a GM and instead is poised to accept a position as the head coach of the Pistons D-League team the Grand Rapids Drive.

Marc Stein of ESPN reports, "the deal is not done but that the sides are closing in on an agreement."

Smith served as GM of the Magic from 2006-12. It's not completely unsurprising that the Pistons are looking for an executive to help steer the team's expansion D-League team. One of the reasons teams are taking ownership of D-League teams is so that they can have total control over player personnel and institute a specific system at the minor league level. The team will be an extension of Van Gundy's operation in Auburn Hills, and probably is very comfortable giving a lot of control over setting up the infrastructure to Smith.

Smith as a GM did not have a lot of fans among the Pistons faithful but Smith as a D-League coach? I'm down with it. What do you think?