The Detroit Pistons have finally ended their coaching search as they have agreed to a 6-year, $72 million total contract with former Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Breaking: Monty Williams and the Detroit Pistons have agreed in principle on a six-year, $72 million deal for Williams to become the franchise’s new head coach, sources tell me and @JLEdwardsIII. The deal is expected to be finalized in the coming days.
– Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 1, 2023
This deal with Detroit will make Monty Williams the highest paid coach in the NBA based on his average annual value of $12 million. San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was the highest paid coach in the league before with an average annual value of $11.5 million .
The NBA 2022 Coach of the Year also has significant incentives built into his contract. According to Charania, Williams’ new deal could reach eight years and $100 million depending on the team’s options and incentives, which could keep him in Detroit through the 2030-31 NBA season.
Williams, 51, was contemplating his future in the NBA after being fired by the Suns earlier this offseason. He initially turned down an offer to become the Pistons’ next head coach, but now Williams is set to lead one of the youngest teams in the league.
Detroit has failed to win more than 23 games in the last four seasons and has made the playoffs only once since 2017.
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