Monty Williams has agreed to a six-year, $78.5 million contract with the Detroit Pistons as their new head coach, sources revealed on Thursday. This would constitute the largest deal for a coaching role in NBA history.
Named NBA Coach of the Year in May 2022, Williams was dismissed by the Phoenix Suns earlier this month after the team was defeated Western Conference semifinals by the Denver Nuggets. Over his four years with the Suns, Williams led the team to a 194-115 (.628) record in the regular season and 27-19 in the playoffs. His career highlight came in the 2021-22 season, winning a franchise record 64 games and leading the team to the NBA Finals.
Williams replaces Dwane Casey, who stepped down as coach in April in favor of a move to a front-office role. During his five years as Pistons coach, Detroit went 121-263 (.315), making the playoffs just once in the 2018-19 season. The Pistons have failed to go over .500 over the past seven seasons, with their last winning season coming in 2015-16.
