The Detroit Pistons sent shockwaves through the NBA Wednesday morning by firing Head Coach Monty Williams, despite signing him to a six-year, $78.5 million contract last year. This decision comes after the Pistons hired a new president of basketball operations, Trajan Langdon, a move confirmed by Pistons owner Tom Gores.
Langdon met with Williams Wednesday morning, and the team released a statement.
“Decisions like these are difficult to make, and I want to thank Monty for his hard work and dedication,” Gores said in the statement. “Coaching has many dynamic challenges that emerge during a season, and Monty always handled those with grace. However, after reviewing our performance carefully and assessing our current position as an organization, we will chart a new course moving forward.”
This surprising decision comes after the Detroit Pistons were regarded as the worst team in the league, enduring a historic 28-game losing streak that raised questions about Williams’ leadership. The next coach hired will be the sixth since Gores’ ownership began in 2011. Twitter reacted hilariously to Williams being fired while still getting paid by both the Suns and the Pistons.
The Monty Williams timeline…
May 2023: Fired by the Phoenix Suns, securing a $20 million-plus buyout.
June 2023: Hired by the Detroit Pistons, securing a 6-year, $78.5 million deal — the largest coaching contract in NBA history at the time.
June 2024: Fired by the Detroit… pic.twitter.com/3prkKnyoGD
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) June 19, 2024
Monty Williams on his couch doing nothing for the next 5 years lmaoo pic.twitter.com/rQKwUuQ65y
— Hater Report (@HaterReport_) June 19, 2024
Monty Williams … Juneteenth Legend pic.twitter.com/w9yBQY3XZa
— Ashley Nicole Moss (@AshNicoleMoss) June 19, 2024
Monty Williams finding out the Pistons fired him but he’s still getting paid $65 million to do nothing pic.twitter.com/fWsjsEuRGT
— Mink Flow (@currypistonn) June 19, 2024
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