Pistons Fire Rothstein After Missing Playoffs

Ron Rothstein, whose team failed to make the playoffs for the first time in 10 years, was fired Monday as coach of the Detroit Pistons. Don Chaney, an assistant who once coached the Houston Rockets and Clippers, is considered a leading candidate to succeed Rothstein.

Rothstein’s biggest problem was Dennis Rodman, who probably will be traded, the Pistons said. The moody forward sat out all of training camp, a West Coast trip and a total of 20 games because of suspensions or vague injuries. The Pistons were 4-16 without him and finished 40-42, failing to make the playoffs by one game.