The Detroit Pistons are close to ending their search for a new boss on the bench.

The Pistons and John Kuester were nearing an agreement Tuesday night to make him their coach, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.

The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal was not done, said the contract could be completed as soon as today.

Kuester spent the past two seasons as a Cleveland Cavaliers assistant and was on Larry Brown 's championship-winning staff in 2004 with the Pistons.

He was also an NBA assistant in Orlando, Philadelphia -- under Brown -- New Jersey and Boston. The North Carolina graduate was a head coach at George Washington from 1985-90.

"Nice man, don't know much about him as a coach," TNT analyst Doug Collins wrote in a text message to the AP. "Really quality guy/gentleman."

The Pistons spoke with Avery Johnson about replacing Michael Curry , a former Glenn Hills High School standout who was fired last week, but talks with the former Dallas coach ended.

Detroit also was considering bringing back Collins, a former Pistons coach, but he withdrew his name from consideration last week shortly after Curry was fired. Boston Celtics assistant Tom Thibodeau was also a candidate.

MAVERICKS: Point guard Rodrigue Beaubois is jumping right into the NBA.

Beaubois, who has played professionally in France, took part in his first summer-league practice Tuesday and signed his rookie deal with the club.

As the 25th overall pick, he's slotted to receive almost $896,200 this season and $963,400 next season, with a $1.03 million option for his third year.

Beaubois actually was drafted by Oklahoma City, then was sent to Dallas for the No. 24 pick (B.J. Mullens ) and a second-rounder.

Beaubois has athletic ability but is considered a raw basketball talent.