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Former Cavs assistant, player Luke Walton joins Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff in Detroit

Cavaliers head coach J. B. Bickerstaff and assistant coach Luke Walton react in the third quarter of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, May 13, 2024, in Cleveland.
Cavaliers head coach J. B. Bickerstaff and assistant coach Luke Walton react in the third quarter of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, May 13, 2024, in Cleveland.

Former Cavaliers assistant coach and player Luke Walton will reunite with his old Cleveland boss in Detroit.

The Detroit Pistons are hiring Walton as the lead assistant on J.B. Bickerstaff's coaching staff, The Athletic reported Friday night.

The Cavs fired Bickerstaff on May 23 and hired Kenny Atkinson on June 24 as his successor. The Pistons hired Bickerstaff on June 30 to replace Monty Williams, whom Detroit ousted on June 19.

Walton, 44, spent the past two seasons as a Cavs assistant, but he was not expected to be retained after Bickerstaff's departure.

Longtime Cavs assistant and former Cleveland Charge head coach Dan Geriot is also leaving the Cavaliers. He's joining the New Orleans Pelicans as an assistant, ESPN reported Friday night.

J.B. Bickerstaff in Detroit: Four takeaways from former Cavs coach's introductory press conference with Pistons

Walton was the head coach of the Sacramento Kings (2019-21) and Los Angeles Lakers (2016-19) prior to joining Bickerstaff in Cleveland.

Walton had a 10-year NBA playing career. He played for the Cavs during his final season in 2012-13 and part of 2011-12.

Walton's father, Hall of Famer Bill Walton, died in May at the age of 71 after a prolonged battle with cancer.

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Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Luke Walton goes from Cavs to Pistons with J.B. Bickerstaff