Detroit Pistons FIRE head coach Monty Williams - despite still having $65MILLION left to pay him
- The Detroit Pistons are reportedly parting ways with head coach Monty Williams
- The NBA's Coach of the Year with the Suns in 2022, he joined Detroit in 2023
- Williams has five years and $65 million remaining on his contract
The Detroit Pistons are reportedly parting ways with head coach Monty Williams, who still has a whopping five years and $65 million left on his contract.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski first reported the news Wednesday, writing that general manager Trajan Langdon has begun the search for a new head coach. The firing, Wojnarowski wrote on Twitter, was made at the 'ownership level.' Tom Gores currently owns the team.
The NBA's Coach of the Year with the Suns in 2022, Williams was dismissed in Phoenix after the 2022-23 season before signing a massive contract with the struggling Pistons.
The Pistons finished with the NBA's worst record in 2023-25, going 14-68 while struggling to get consistent production from its young core of Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren.
Detroit made the firing official on Wednesday morning with a statement from Gores.
The Detroit Pistons are reportedly parting ways with head coach Monty Williams (pictured)
'Decisions like these are difficult to make, and I want to thank Monty for his hard work and dedication,' Gores said. 'Coaching has many dynamic challenges that emerge during a season and Monty always handled those with grace. However, after reviewing our performance carefully and assessing our current position as an organization, we will chart a new course moving forward.
'I have great respect for Monty as a coach and as a person and I am certain he will be successful in his future endeavors. I sincerely wish him and his family the very best.'
Earlier this week, NBA insider reported that Williams was 'likely' to keep his job despite the team's struggles.
Williams signed a six-year, $78million contract with Detroit before last season.
The Pistons could avoid paying the full remainder of Williams' deal if he signs a head-coaching deal with another NBA team.
Currently the Los Angeles Lakers are among several NBA teams looking for a new coach.
Williams' season got much more complicated in March, when promising rookie Ausar Thompson was sidelines with a blood clot.
'I'm glad the doctors caught it,' Williams said at the time.
The 6-foot-6 Thompson is expected to recover for the 2024-25 season.
'Under the guidance of Pistons team physician Dr. Ramsey Shehab of Henry Ford Health, Thompson has been cleared to resume conditioning and will begin non-contact basketball activities at the conclusion of the regular season with a gradual ramp up over the summer months in preparation for a full return next season,' read a statement from Thompson.
