Well, that was a sudden turn of events. In a whirlwind of a week, the Detroit Pistons brought in Pelicans assistant coach Fred Vinson, only to swiftly fire head coach Monty Williams, who had been with the team for just one season. Last summer, Williams signed a substantial 6-year, 78.5 million dollar contract, making him a highly anticipated addition to the team due to his successful tenure with the Phoenix Suns. However, the partnership was marred by challenges from the outset. Williams’s reluctance and the Pistons’ mixed roster evoke empathy for the team’s rebuilding struggles.
Did The Pistons Make The Right Decision Firing Head Coach?
What Went Wrong For Monty Williams To Be Fired?
When Williams took over the roster, he made some questionable decisions that had people scratching their heads. The first decision was to start now-waived guard Killian Hayes over Jaden Ivey. Hayes, more of a natural point guard, didn’t turn the ball over and played solid defense, but his scoring abilities outside of the paint were shaky at best. Williams also stubbornly insisted on playing former second-overall pick James Wiseman significant minutes. During the 2022-23 season, Wiseman, who the Pistons traded for, averaged 12.7 points and 8.1 rebounds while playing 25.2 minutes in 24 games. However, Wiseman’s playing time significantly decreased under Williams, eroding his confidence.
Monty Williams Didn’t Fit The Timeline
Monty Williams is a coach destined for a championship-caliber team. Before the Suns acquired Chris Paul, Phoenix was one of the bottom teams in the Western Conference. It took the Suns catching fire during the 2020 bubble to change course with roster construction. Once the Suns acquired Chris Paul and other veteran pieces, they became one of the better teams in the West.
The Pistons, on the other hand, were still a team needing development. The organization would have been better off hiring a coach who could grow with the team. Former Pistons general manager Troy Weaver wanted to bring Kevin Ollie as head coach, but owner Tom Gores vetoed this, favoring Williams. It was a relationship that looked good on paper but was terrible as it played out.
Monty Williams, “Love Of The Game”, Got Him Fired
Consider someone telling you they don’t have the passion to do something. Williams initially rejected the Pistons when they approached him about coaching after parting ways with Dwayne Casey. He finally accepted only after Gores significantly increased the offer. It’s evident that Monty Williams didn’t want to coach the Pistons and only did it for the money. Williams never wanted to coach, but they will pay him over 60 million dollars over the next five seasons, making it the biggest steal in history.
The Last Word
Monty Williams’ firing marks the first time a Pistons coach has been dismissed after just one season since Maurice Cheeks. Who was let go midway through the 2014 season. This turn of events underscores a critical reflection for the Pistons organization: an overestimation of their current capabilities and a need for better decision-making. Williams’s hiring and subsequent firing illustrate a misjudgment that the team must learn from.
Speculation about the move has been circulating since the new GM, Trajan Langdon, arrived to reshape the team’s direction. Langdon is cleaning the house and initiating a fresh start in Detroit, which brings a sense of renewed hope for the future. Parting with Williams was challenging but pivotal for the Pistons’ rebuilding and future success ultimately making it the right move.
