

Yes, becoming the highest-paid coach in NBA history certainly never hurts.

Why Detroit? Monty was unfailingly honest, and it’s something everyone should appreciate. “To be honest with you, I committed that night,” Williams said about his first in-person meeting with owner Tom Gores at his California home with Troy Weaver and other members of the Pistons’ brain trust in tow. Williams said he revealed these details about his family because he credits the genetic testing and early screening with potentially saving his wife’s life, and he encouraged other women to do the same.Īs fate would would have it, Williams received positive news about his wife’s prognosis, and the Pistons, who he’d already rebuffed, called back. He fully intended to focus on the needs of his wife and on the opportunity to be a bigger part of his family day-to-day. Part of that was financial - he had millions still guaranteed from the Phoneix Suns, the team that just unceremoniously fired him - and he was dealing with important family matters that were bigger than basketball.ĭuring his introductory press conference as the new head coach of the Detroit Pistons, Williams revealed that his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer during the NBA playoffs. 5 pick to steer the Pistons towards the playoffs.Monty Williams never intended on coaching next season. 5 pick, will be cornerstones of the franchise for years to come and have already impressed in the NBA.Īlongside the star backcourt, Williams will look to get the maximum out of the likes of James Wiseman, Jalen Duren, and their future 2023 No.
#Monty williams full
The Pistons are in a very different position to the Suns but Williams’ experience in turning things around in Phoenix could prove vital.ĭetroit has a roster of players full of potential and it will be Williams’ job to get the best out of their young core.Ĭade Cunningham, the 2021 No. In five seasons with the team, Casey complied a 121-263 record and helped lead Detroit to the playoffs once in 2018-2019. Williams replaces Dwayne Casey at the Pistons, who stepped down as head coach following the season to take a front-office role in Detroit. In his time with the Suns, Williams compiled a 194-115 regular season record in four years and won the NBA’s Coach of the Year award last season after the Suns won 64 regular-season games. The previous year, Williams helped lead the Suns to its first NBA finals appearance since 1993, which ultimately led to defeat against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. The Suns fell at the exact same hurdle in the 2021-22 season, losing in seven games against the Dallas Mavericks, despite leading 3-2 in the series.
#Monty williams series
The Phoenix Suns crashed out of the playoffs with a series defeat against the Denver Nuggets. – eventually falling to a 4-2 series loss and bouncing out of the Western Conference semifinals. The Suns stormed to a first round 4-1 series win against the below strength Los Angeles Clippers, but then struggled against eventual NBA finalists, the Denver Nuggets.ĭespite the mid-season acquisition of 13-time NBA All-Star Kevin Durant, to go with stars Devin Booker, Chris Paul, and Deandre Ayton, Williams could not guide his team past Nikola Jokić and Co. Williams was fired by the Phoenix Suns earlier in May after a disappointing run in the playoffs. The deal has team options for years seven and eight and could reach close to $100 million in incentives, league sources told The Athletic.ĬNN has reached out to the Detroit Pistons for comment but did not immediately hear back. The deal is for six years, $78.5 million, making it the largest coaching deal in NBA history, sources told Wojnarowski.

The Detroit Pistons have agreed to a record deal with Monty Williams to be the franchise’s new head coach, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania and ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
