Detroit Pistons dismiss Coach Monty Williams after One Season
- BY Dhiren
- June 19, 2024
- Read in 2 Minutes
According to a person familiar with the situation, the Detroit Pistons have fired Monty Williams, their coach, after only one season.
The individual talked with the AP on the condition of confidentiality because the team had not made any announcements. ESPN was the first to report the termination.
This season, the Pistons posted a record of 14-68, marking the first season under Williams’ six-year, $78.5-million contract, the highest ever awarded to an NBA coach.
When the season finished, the team began a front office overhaul, which included the hire of Trajan Langdon as president of basketball actions, the departure of general manager Troy Weaver, and the current vacancy at head coach.
Monty Williams’ termination comes off a strange stretch of incidents. In 2021, he guided the Suns to the NBA Finals, where they led 2-0 before losing in six games to Milwaukee.
Also Read, What is Juneteenth? Key Facts and Historical Significance
In 2022, he was overwhelmingly voted NBA coach of the year. In 2023, the Suns sacked him, and in 2024, the Pistons did the same.
Earlier this year, Miami broke the record for the overall value of a coaching contract previously held by Williams by signing Erik Spoelstra to an eight-year agreement worth $120 million.
By any measure, the Pistons had a terrible season. They began 2-1 and did not win a game for the next two months.
The season was ruined by a 28-game losing streak, which is the most in one season in NBA history and tied for the longest when considering multiple seasons.
The Pistons’ greatest winning streak was two games (three times), and their lineup was continually changing. Detroit employed 31 different players and 36 different starting lineups throughout the season, and they lost 39 games by double digits.
The Detroit vacancy is the NBA’s third active one, with Cleveland and the Lakers also looking for coaches.
The Pistons’ move comes a week before the NBA draft begins, with Detroit scheduled to make their fifth-round selection on June 26 – someone who should be able to bolster a youthful core led by Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, and Jalen Duren.
These three players, all 22 or younger, were the only Pistons to start at least 60 games this season.
