NBA D-League: Detroit Pistons name former Orlando Magic GM Otis Smith as coach of Grand Rapids Drive

Detroit Pistons coach and president Stan Van Gundy continued to stage his Orlando Magic reunion Wednesday when he named Otis Smith, the Magic's general manager while Van Gundy coached the Magic, as the head coach of the Grand Rapids Drive, the Pistons' NBA D-League affiliate.

"Otis understands the vision and connectivity we want to create between the Detroit Pistons and the Grand Rapids Drive, our NBA D-League affiliate," Van Gundy said in a statement. "His experiences as a general manager, director of player development and NBA player will pay dividends as he spearheads our efforts in Grand Rapids."

Smith has no prior coaching experience. He played the final three seasons of his NBA career with Orlando and later joined its front office, first as a director of player development. He served as the Magic's general manager from 2006-2012, during which period the Magic made their second NBA Finals appearance in team history.

Despite the team's success under Smith, most fans don't highly regard his tenure, particularly due to the last big moves he made before he tendered his resignation. In December 2010, Smith sent to the Phoenix Suns a rich package of assets, including a future first-round Draft choice and the team-friendly contract of productive center Marcin Gortat, for a package including Hedo Türkoğlu and Jason Richardson, two declining veterans. More infamously, he dealt Rashard Lewis to the Washington Wizards for Gilbert Arenas, who lasted just one half-season with the Magic before they used the amnesty provision to remove his lucrative contract from their salary-cap sheet.

The list of other men with Magic ties to join Van Gundy in Detroit includes Quentin Richardson, Malik Allen, and Charles Klask.