Pistons President Dumars To Meet With Avery Johnson About Coaching Job

July 4, 2009 2:56 p.m. EST

Detroit, MI (AHN) - After Doug Collins pulled out of consideration Wednesday, former Mavericks coach Avery Johnson was then widely regarded as the leading candidate for the vacant coaching job.

An ESPN.com report indicated that team president Joe Dumars is slated to head to Texas to meet Johnson for the first time Sunday to discuss Pistons coaching job.

Dumars, though, indicated that it is "not a given" that Johnson will be hired to take over the position vacated by Michael Curry, who was dismissed Tuesday, the Detroit News reported.

Former Pistons assistant John Kuester, currently serving as the Cavaliers assistant, was also on Dumars' original short list.

The Pistons have yet to ask the Cavaliers for permission to speak with Kuester.

According to the News, Dumars is opting for "an experienced hand" as the team goes through the rebuilding process.

With the Mavericks, Johnson amassed a 194-70 mark in four seasons.

In 2006, he steered the Mavericks to the NBA finals for the first time in franchise history only to loss to the Miami Heat then led by the tandem of Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade.

After the Mavs failed to duplicate that feat in the next two years, getting eliminated in the first round of playoffs; Johnson was finally shown the door.

Dumars is hoping to settle the head coaching issue before the Pistons begin summer-league play next week in Las Vegas.