Author: Monojit Mandal
Monty Williams, former coach of the Phoenix Suns, has officially signed a six-year, US$78.5 million contract to become the next coach of the Detroit Pistons. This historic deal, which includes club options in 2029 and 2030, guarantees Williams’ place in Detroit for at least the next decade. Notably, this pact is the richest coaching contract in NBA history.
Pistons owner Tom Gores did everything he could to ensure that the team would be led by the renowned coach, who was voted NBA Coach of the Year in 2021 and 2022. Williams’ record as coach in Phoenix is remarkable, with a 194-115 (.628) record in the regular season and a 27-19 (.587) record in the postseason. He will now take over as coach of the Pistons, where he will focus mainly on developing the team’s young potential players, including Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren.
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Williams’ signing of such a rich contract implies several assumptions, the most important of which is that he will have great influence over the board’s choices. With the NBA draft approaching, the Pistons need to decide whether to keep their fifth overall pick or trade it for a player who can contribute immediately.
Given Williams’ track record and his ability to make the most of restricted resources, it wouldn’t be shocking if the Pistons sought trade alternatives for their first-round pick. In addition, fans are excited to see how much the team will chase free agents, with players like Cam Johnson and Jerami Grant potentially on general manager Troy Weaver’s radar.
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Improving player development has always been a priority for Pistons fans, and the hiring of Monty Williams, along with former Rockets coach Stephen Silas as his assistant, signifies a shift towards prioritizing this essential component. The team’s young core offers potential, with Cunningham set to flourish, Ivey improving on his good rookie season and Duren turning into a powerful defensive force.
However, doubts remain over players like Killian Hayes, who has shown flashes of talent but has struggled with consistency, especially in attack. Isaiah Stewart is another player who needs more growth. He improved his score, with an average of 11.3 points in 2022, compared to 8.3 in 2021.