Just after one season, the NBA team, The Detroit Pistons, fired their head coach Monty Williams, despite the coach having more than $65 million left on his record six-year, $78.5 million contract he signed before the 2023-24 season.
Williams, who was the NBA Coach of the Year just two years ago, was hired in hopes he could lead a turnaround in Detroit.
He got the lucrative contract from the club but woefully led the Pistons to an NBA-worst 14-68 record.
Detroit set an NBA record by losing 28 straight games in a single season and tied the overall record set by the 76ers over two seasons.
The 52-year-old Williams has reportedly been accused of taking Pistons backwards.
New team president Trajan Langdon first dismissed general manager Troy Weaver, and on Wednesday, June 19 fired Williams.
Williams led the Suns to the Finals in 2021 and then the West’s top record in 2022.
After he guided the Phoenix Suns to a 64-18 record he was showered with plaudits and earned top coach honors and a multi-year extension.
He led Phoenix back to the conference semifinals last year, this time falling to the Nuggets, but new owner Mat Ishbia decided to move on from Williams despite owing him more than $20 million.
The Pistons signed Williams after seeing a chance to hire the talented coach.
Williams had thought of potentially sitting out the 2023-24 season since his wife is battling cancer, but ultimately decided to coach, according to ESPN.
