After a disastrous first season, the Detroit Pistons fired head coach Monty Williams, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
This was Williams’ first season in Detroit after four seasons with the Phoenix Suns and a five-season stint in New Orleans in previous head-coaching jobs.
Williams leaves Detroit with five years and over $65 million left on his deal. His team won just 14 games last season, finishing in last place in the Eastern Conference. The Pistons lost an NBA-record 28 straight games last year before snapping that skid in late December. New President Trajan Langdon, whom the Pistons hired last month, will make his own coaching hire now.
ESPN Sources: After one season, the Detroit Pistons have dismissed coach Monty Williams — who leaves with five years and $65M-plus left on his deal. New President Trajan Langdon will move to make his own coaching hire now. pic.twitter.com/QHKivQS5o2
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 19, 2024
At the conclusion of the 2022-23 season, head coach Dwane Casey stepped down and moved to a front-office position, allowing general manager Troy Weaver to make his first head-coaching hire in Detroit. Weaver selected Williams and rewarded him with a six-year, $78.5 million contract with a two-year team option that would top out over $100 million. Weaver and Williams had a relationship stemming from their time in Oklahoma City.
The Pistons have had four consecutive lottery picks highlighted by Cade Cunningham, the 2021 No. 1 overall pick. Detroit also drafted Killian Hayes (No. 7 in 2020), Jaden Ivey (No. 5 in 2022) and Ausar Thompson (No. 5 in 2023). The Pistons currently have the best odds at the top pick in 2024, according to Tankathon.
The Pistons last won a postseason game in 2008 and last made the playoffs in 2019.
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