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The Detroit Pistons will reportedly give Monty Williams, the winningest head coach in the NBA since 2021, the biggest deal for a coach in NBA history.
Williams and the Pistons have agreed on a six-year, $78.5 million deal, according to ESPN. The Athletic, which was the first to report on Williams’ deal with the Pistons, said team options and incentives could extend the deal to eight years and $100 million.
Earlier Wednesday, The Athletic reported that Detroit is “heavily chasing” Williams, who was surprisingly let go by the Phoenix Suns after they lost to the Denver Nuggets in the second round of the NBA Playoffs.
That chase also came with a hefty price tag – reportedly $10 million – to entice Williams to go to Motor City. This deal would be worth $12.5 million per season, making him the highest paid head coach in the NBA.
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Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams looks on for Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2023 NBA Playoffs against the Denver Nuggets. (Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
San Antonio Spurs legend Gregg Popovich, who has the most wins for a head coach in NBA history, earned $11.5 million last season. Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors was second with $9.5 million, while Williams didn’t even make the top 10 highest salary.
PISTONS WANT TO MAKE MONTY WILLIAMS ONE OF NBA’S HIGHEST PAID COACHES IN HEAVY CHASE: REPORT
While Williams has built a track record that the Pistons clearly love, he will face a very different situation in Detroit.
With the Suns, Williams had Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Chris Paul and other perennial All-Stars under his wing. Now he will be tasked with developing the young talent of Killian Hayes, James Wiseman and Jaden Ivey as the Pistons want a process that gradually works their way back to the playoffs.
Devin Booker #1 stands with head coach Monty Williams of the Phoenix Suns during the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets in game six of the Western Conference Semifinal Playoffs. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Detroit had the worst record in the NBA last season at 17-65, but they only got the fifth overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Victor Wembanyama, the first overall pick who many believe is a generational talent, will join the Spurs who won the lottery earlier this month.
Nevertheless, Williams has a new task ahead of him, but he believes he can pull it off in Detroit – and the Pistons certainly make him feel well compensated to do so.
Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams watches as his team plays the Denver Nuggets in the third quarter of Game Two of the NBA Western Conference Semifinals. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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Williams finished with a 194–115 record at Phoenix as he led the New Orleans Pelicans to an overall record of 173–221 during his five seasons with the franchise.
He was also named NBA Coach of the Year for the 2021-22 season.
Scott Thompson is a sportswriter for Fox News Digital.
