The Pistons remain in heavy pursuit of Monty Williams for their head coaching position, according to Shams Charania and James L. Edwards III of The Athletic.
Detroit has been hopeful since Williams was dismissed by Phoenix that he’d consider accepting the Pistons’ job and is preparing an offer in the neighborhood of $10MM per year for the veteran coach, league sources tell Charania and Edwards.
Marc Stein has been on top of this story, reporting last week that the Pistons’ efforts to hire Williams with a “big-money” offer had thus far been unsuccessful, then following up a few days later to say that the team may not have given up on the idea of landing Williams.
When Williams was let go by Phoenix, he still had $20MM+ left on his contract with the team, so there was a sense that he wouldn’t be in any rush to take another head coaching job this offseason. He told interested teams, including the Pistons and Bucks, that he was leaning toward taking a year off, per Charania and Edwards. However, the Pistons appear to be doing all they can to convince him to change his plans.
Reports earlier in May indicated that Detroit had narrowed its head coaching search to Bucks assistant Charles Lee, former Overtime Elite head coach Kevin Ollie, and Pelicans assistant Jarron Collins, but those three candidates have been referred to as finalists for weeks, with little indication that the club was nearing a decision.
If Williams ultimately decides to turn down the Pistons’ pitch, Lee is expected to be the team’s next choice, sources tell The Athletic. Lee and Ollie have both met twice with team owner Tom Gores and general manager Troy Weaver and remain in contention to replace Dwane Casey on Detroit’s bench, according to Charania and Edwards.
If Monty really wants to coach an AAU team, he can just volunteer to coach a real one. Not an NBA team posing as one. The coaches who will be interested in the DET job will likely be guys looking for their first HC’ing gig.
I mean Ime just got hired at Houston
Desperation on show there…
Ime had to take what ever he could after his time in Boston…
True, he may have jumped too soon. But he has much more need to get back in the game, with just the 1 year as HC and the issue that made him leave. Monty has a substantial resume and is being paid top of the coaching market $$ by PHX for the next 3 seasons. Monty doesn’t need DET to get the next job he really wants.
F off
Nate McMillan not a development coach, but knows the game, and can show the young fella’s how to play in Detroit.
Williams or Nate are top tier choices if available for Detroit. Doc Rivers is a big no for both sides likely. Money $$$$
Stackhouse is okay too, but apparently has some historical behavioral issues? Whatever that is…
I’ve always liked McMillan. If I were a GM, he’d be my first choice.
Kevin Ollie was Larry Browns main man when he was in the NBA. His coaching style clearly reflects Larrys style in a less harsher way.
He would be the best choice in my book in light of that.
It would have to be less harsh, or it wouldn’t survive!
Larry Brown was reportedly choked, grabbed, shoved, in many shouting matches on multiple occasions as coach, and was not fearful of insulting the players.
A lot of players, and coaches said that if the basketball mind of Brown could be merged with even the slightest of personalities his success as a pro coach would have been even greater.
If Ollie has the right combination he could be a fantastic choice. Needs a chance to prove himself.
Williams is “The Full Monty”…
Monty’s already getting something like the $10mil they’re offering to do nothing on his current contract. Unless he really enjoys being the development coach (and that’d be a perceived step down for him at this point), “heavy pursuit” better be overpaying him. Detroit should get a Kenny Atkinson.
Detroit’s in a great position right now considering the talent they have on the team and cap space. Nobody is expecting to compete for a top 6 seed but at least compete for the play in tournament. If the reports are true that they will do everything possible to acquire Jaylen Brown from the Celtics for a package centered around the 5th pick that would make them even more attractive for a coach.
Monty deserves to coach a contender. Phoenix is the new Nets. The new owner thinks he knows basketball . We shall see but all they have is a malcontent center and a brittle superstar. Booker needs help and they will not find enough to overcome The Nuggets. Booth has proven he is a great GM.
Monty may just be wise to wait for a position to open down the line.
No Detroit what are you doing. Monty is a horrible coach like fizdale. He will want wiseman and Duren guarding the PG or SG while Cunningham and Ivey will be in the post watching as everyone Jack’s up three’s.
Nate McMillan is the choice here then Ollie. I would even want Larry brown or Hubie brown over Monty Williams
Pistons are young. Doesn’t mean they are bad. They got serious talent imo. Monty would be a good choice. It’s where he can show himself to the rest of league.
Pistons with the right move. Can play close to a .500 team. Monty is a good choice.