A little over a year ago, the Detroit Pistons made Monty Williams the richest head coach in NBA history, signing him to a six-year, $78.5 million contract. Now the team is searching for someone to replace him.
The Pistons fired Williams on Wednesday after finishing with an NBA-worst 14-68 record and a record-tying 28-game losing streak.
The head coach’s contract is guaranteed, meaning Williams is owed $65 million over the next five seasons.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Detroit Pistons head coach Monty Williams played against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New York on February 26th. (Brad Penner – USA Today Sports)
“Decisions like this are difficult, and I want to thank Monty for his hard work and dedication,” Pistons owner Tom Gores said in a statement. “A coach has many dynamic challenges that arise during the season, which Monty has always handled with grace. However, after carefully reviewing the team’s performance and evaluating where we currently stand as an organization, we will chart a new course for the future.”
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to bringing a championship-caliber team to Detroit,” Gores continued, “and we will continue our vision of building a best-in-class front office that will help us achieve sustainable success as we diligently and expeditiously search for a new head coach to lead our young and exciting roster.”
The Pistons finished 17-65 last year, the worst record in the league for the second straight year. To make matters worse, the draft lottery didn’t work in their favor this year or last. Detroit received the No. 5 pick in 2023, but missed out on generational talent Victor Wembanyama and the team will get the No. 5 pick again later this month.
Detroit Pistons head coach Monty Williams watches from the sideline during the team’s game against the Dallas Mavericks at Little Caesars Arena on March 9 in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Former NFL star says he hasn’t seen Kaitlyn Clark treated better since LeBron James
Recent years have been up and down for Williams, who reached the NBA Finals with the Phoenix Suns in 2021 and won the NBA Coach of the Year award the following year before heading to Detroit only to be released in 2023.
In addition to the losing streak, the Pistons have never won three straight games this season (or last season) and their lineup has been in constant flux — Detroit used 31 different players and 36 different starters all season and lost by double digits 39 times.
Detroit Pistons coach Monty Williams talks with Jaden Ivey and Isaiah Stewart during a game against the Utah Jazz at Little Caesars Arena on Dec. 21, 2023 in Detroit. (Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
Click here to get the FOX News app
Detroit’s vacancy is third-largest in the NBA, with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers still seeking coaches.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital X’s sports coverage,subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
