Stan Van Gundy announcing hiring of Grand Rapids Drive coach Wednesday

As first reported in early August, the Detroit Pistons have tapped Otis Smith as the head coach of the team's first exclusive D-League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Drive, and the announcement will be made official at a press conference in Grand Rapids on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.

Pistons head coach and president Stan Van Gundy and Smith are extremely close friends after spending six years together with the Magic -- Smith as general manager and Van Gundy as coach. Van Gundy will even be in Grand Rapids to announce the hiring of the coach, according to MLive. Joining Van Gundy will be GM Jeff Bower and Drive President Steve Jbara.

It had previously been reported that Smith and the Pistons were in "advanced negotiations" for Smith to lead the Drive during their inaugural season, but nothing official has been announced. Smith had reportedly been an early candidate for the Pistons' open general manager position.

The Drive, formerly the Springfield (Mass.) Armor, will play their home games at the DeltaPlex Arena and will begin their 50-game season in November. The team's first home game in Grand Rapids will be Nov. 26, though the full schedule has not yet been released.