Monty Williams, former coach of the Phoenix Suns, has been appointed as the new coach of the Detroit Pistons. When Pistons general manager Troy Weaver initially contacted Williams about the vacancy, he was not in the right place mentally to discuss the job. Williams was still dealing with being fired from the Suns and his wife’s recent breast cancer diagnosis. However, Williams received good news about his wife’s health sooner than expected, and once he connected with the Pistons again, a deal was quickly made. Williams cited the patience exhibited by the Pistons as a huge factor in his decision-making process. Another major factor was the six-year, $78.5 million contract, the largest coaching deal in NBA history. While Williams was impressed with Weaver and Pistons owner Tom Gores and the three shared similar visions, he was not shy in acknowledging that the money helped persuade him to lead the team.
The challenge ahead for Williams and the Pistons
Williams takes over a Pistons team that finished with the league’s worst record last season at 17-65, with just 80 wins over the past four seasons, the fewest in the NBA during that span. Turning around the Pistons presents a familiar challenge for Williams, as the last team to post a winning percentage under .300 in three consecutive seasons was the Suns, who had done so in four straight seasons from 2015 to 2019 before Williams took over. The next season, Phoenix won 34 games, a 15-win improvement with Williams at the helm. Although the Pistons have been hesitant in the past to place too many expectations on one of the youngest rosters in the league, Weaver said Williams could help jump-start the process of getting Detroit out of the basement of the Eastern Conference. The Pistons finished with their worst record since 1979-80, but their dismal showing did not turn into good luck at the draft lottery. Detroit landed the No.5 pick for the second consecutive season, missing out on the opportunity to select French prospect Victor Wembanyama, who is expected to go No.1 overall. Still, the Pistons have a foundation on their roster from recent top draft picks, including Cade Cunningham, the No. 1 overall selection in 2021, and Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren, who went No. 5 and No. 13, respectively, last summer.
During his introductory news conference, Williams spoke highly of the Pistons and the team’s players. He noted that the team had a lot of talent and size, but what impressed him the most was the players’ hunger and desire to succeed. Williams commented that he had never seen a press conference for a head coach where all the players showed up. He also emphasized the importance of early detection testing for breast cancer, as his wife’s diagnosis had affected his decision-making process. Williams previously coached the Hornets from 2010 to 2015, with a .439 winning percentage and a pair of first-round playoff losses. He had much more success with the Suns during his four-year tenure, reaching the 2021 NBA Finals and winning Coach of the Year honors in 2022. Williams had a .628 winning percentage in Phoenix, but the organization fired him after losing in the Western Conference semifinals two years in a row.
Monty Williams has taken on a challenging role as the new coach of the Detroit Pistons. He was persuaded to join the team by the patience exhibited by the Pistons and the largest coaching deal in NBA history. Williams takes over a team with a young roster and a recent history of poor performance. However, Williams’ success in turning around the Phoenix Suns provides hope for Pistons fans. Williams’ emphasis on the importance of early detection testing for breast cancer serves as a reminder of the importance of health and well-being, both on and off the court.
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