Pistons stunningly fire Monty Williams with over $65 million left on record contract

One season in, Detroit paid for a lot of future endeavors for Monty Williams.

The Pistons fired Williams Wednesday with more than $65 million left on his record six-year, $78.5 million contract he signed prior to the 2023-24 season, according to ESPN.

Williams, the NBA Coach of the Year just two years ago, led the Pistons to an NBA-worst 14-68 record.

“Decisions like these are difficult to make, and I want to thank Monty for his hard work and dedication,” Pistons owner Tom Gores said in a statement. “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.”

The Pistons hired Williams with that record contract in hopes he could lead a turnaround in Detroit, but the season instead turned into an embarrassment.

Detroit set an NBA record by losing 28 straight games in a single season and tied the overall record set by the 76ers over two seasons.

The 52-year-old Williams surely knew he had a tall task ahead of him when he signed his record six-year pact, but the Pistons showed little to no growth this past year.

New team president Trajan Langdon first dismissed general manager Troy Weaver, and he now will be choosing his own coach after firing Williams.

This firing adds to what has been a wild four years for Williams.

He led the Suns to the Finals in 2021 and then the West’s top record in 2022, although Phoenix bowed out in the conference semifinals with an embarrassing home loss in Game 7 to the Mavericks.

Guiding the Suns to a 64-18 record earned him top coach honors and a multi-year extension.

He led Phoenix back to the conference semifinals last year, this time falling to the Nuggets, but new owner Mat Ishbia decided to move on from Williams despite owing him more than $20 million.

The Pistons then swooped in, jumping on the chance to add a respected coach for a young team led by emerging star Cade Cunningham.

“We are unwavering in our commitment to bring a championship-caliber team to Detroit,” Gores said. “We will be diligent and swift in our search for a new head coach to lead our exciting young core of players and will continue our vision towards building a best-in-class front office that will help us achieve sustainable success.”

Williams had thought of potentially sitting out the 2023-24 season since his wife is battling cancer, but ultimately decided to coach, according to ESPN.

It seems likely Williams will not be a head coach this upcoming season since there are only two other jobs open at the moment, and both have projected favorites.

The Cavaliers have been linked to Pelicans assistant James Borrego and the Lakers seem set to hire JJ Redick after being rejected by Dan Hurley.

Williams owns a 381-404 (.485) coaching record spanning 10 seasons with the Pelicans/Hornets, Suns and Pistons.