The Detroit Pistons fire head coach Monty Williams, leaving him with a financial obligation of more than $65 million.
The five-year deal, the largest for an NBA coach at the time, was still in effect for years, with the team agreeing to pay the remaining $65 million on Williams’ contract. This information was first reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, and since then multiple media sources have confirmed the news.
CNN has reached out to the Pistons to confirm the numbers.
In a statement Wednesday, owner Tom Gores said, “Difficult decisions such as this are never easy, and I would like to thank Monty for his tireless efforts and loyalty.” He continued, “Training presents a multitude of challenges that constantly change throughout the season, and Monty handled them with calm. After careful consideration of our performance and our current organizational position, we have decided to choose a new direction.”
Gores added, “I hold Monty in high regard as a coach and as a person, and I am sure he will flourish in his future opportunities.” He concluded, “I wish him and his family all my deepest condolences.”
The Pistons had the worst record in the league last season with 14 wins and 68 losses. They ended their historic 28-win-loss streak with a 129-127 loss to the Toronto Raptors in December.
The young Pistons team finished third youngest in the league this season and will pick fifth in the upcoming NBA Draft.
With the search for a new head coach beginning immediately, according to the team statement, Williams previously coached the Phoenix Suns, where he achieved a 194-115 record in four seasons. He led the franchise to the 2020-21 NBA Championship Series, where they lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in six games, and won NBA Coach of the Year in the 2021-22 season after the Suns gave up 64 regular season wins.
Despite these accomplishments, Williams was fired in May 2023, just days after the Suns were eliminated in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs by the eventual champions, the Denver Nuggets.
CNN’s Jacob Lev and Homero De la Fuente contributed to the report.
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2024-06-24 02:37:40
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