The Sacramento Kings have added two coaches with deep Detroit Pistons ties to their staff for the 2026-27 NBA season, hiring former Pistons forward Jason Maxiell as a player development coach and bringing in two-time Pistons assistant Brendan Suhr. This news arrives as the Pistons look ahead after a tough playoff series.
Jason Maxiell, the 26th overall pick by Detroit in the 2005 NBA Draft, spent his first eight professional seasons with the Pistons. The 6-foot-7, 260-pound big man provided energy and toughness off the bench for successful Pistons teams before seeing his role expand. After his decade-long NBA career, which included stops in Orlando and Charlotte, Maxiell played overseas before transitioning to coaching. He started with Sacramento's G-League affiliate, the Stockton Kings, in 2025-26.
Brendan Suhr brings over four decades of coaching experience. He was a key member of Chuck Daly's staff from 1988 to 1992 when the legendary 'Bad Boys' Pistons won back-to-back championships. Suhr later returned to Detroit as an assistant for the 2000-01 campaign. His hiring gives the Kings a wealth of institutional knowledge.
This coaching move connects directly to a current Pistons player and a potential trade target. The Kings used the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 draft on Detroit native Darius Acuff Jr. Maxiell and Suhr will be tasked with developing the rookie guard. However, Maxiell's primary focus will likely be the Kings' frontcourt, given his experience as a power forward and center.
That frontcourt includes Domantas Sabonis, who has been mentioned in speculative sign-and-trade scenarios for Pistons center Jalen Duren. The source indicates the Pistons are not currently inclined to pursue such a deal. For Pistons fans, it reinforces the enduring legacy of their franchise as its alumni take on significant roles elsewhere in the league.
The Pistons are in their offseason following a first-round playoff exit. That stretch included a hard-fought series against the Cavaliers, with results like a 113-117 loss on May 14 and a 107-97 victory on May 7. The decisive 94-125 loss on May 18 ended their season.
This period allows the front office to evaluate the roster and plan for next season. Player development remains a major focus, as seen with the progress of young stars like Jalen Duren. The team's full schedule for the upcoming season can be found on our schedule page.
For the Kings, the goal under head coach Doug Christie is clear: accelerate a rebuild after a 22-60 season. Adding proven developers like Maxiell and Suhr is a step in that direction. Their success could be measured by the growth of Acuff Jr. and the performance of Sabonis, should he remain with the team.
For the Pistons, the offseason brings questions about roster construction and how to build around their core. The speculation around Duren, however faint, is a sign that the NBA's transaction wheel is always turning. The team will look to improve its perimeter defense and scoring consistency after their playoff run. All eyes will be on how they retool to compete in the Eastern Conference next year.
