The Detroit Pistons are heavily targeting Monty Williams to be their new head coach and are prepared to offer the former Phoenix Suns front man $10 million per season, The Athletic reported Wednesday.
The report comes three weeks after the Pistons had identified three finalists for their vacancy — Kevin Ollie, Jarron Collins and Charles Lee. But then Williams was fired by Phoenix.
What’s unclear is if Williams is interested in coaching this season. Williams reportedly is owed $21 million on the three remaining years of his contract with Phoenix. Further, he told teams – including the Pistons – that he was going to take a year off with his family in the aftermath of his surprising ouster by the Suns.
The $10 million annually would put Williams among the NBA’s highest-paid coaches.
The Pistons are replacing Dwane Casey, who stepped down last month after five seasons as head coach.
If the Pistons are spurned by Williams, they’re expected to offer the job to the 38-year-old Lee, per the report. Lee has been an assistant coach under Mike Budenholzer with Atlanta and Milwaukee the past nine seasons. Budenholzer was fired by the Bucks early this month.
Williams, 51, went 194-115 in four seasons with the Suns and won Coach of the Year honors in 2021-22.
He led the Suns to the playoffs the last three seasons, going 27-19 in the postseason.
Williams also went 173-221 in five seasons as head coach of the New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans (2010-15).
–Field Level Media