Monty Williams and the Pistons agree to a long-term head coaching deal

League sources told Yahoo Sports that the Detroit Pistons have reached an agreement for Monte Williams to become their next head coach.

The sources said that the agreement is large, as the Pistons will put on the table a guaranteed contract worth $ 78.5 million for six years, in addition to two additional years for team options that may reach $ 100 million. Pistons owner Tom Gores has been heavily involved in his courtship with Williams, as was Dwayne Casey in 2018, after he hit the coaching market weeks earlier.

The Pistons were in discussions with Milwaukee Bucks assistant coach Charles Lee and Kevin Ollie of the Overtime Elite, and Lee took over the starting position. The Pistons initially made overtures to Williams, but Williams seemed unsure about coaching this season and looked like he would take a vacation this year.

The relationship between Pistons general manager Troy Weaver and Williams dates back to Williams’ tenure in Oklahoma City, and Gores has been in touch with Williams over the past few days, as Williams begins to reconsider coaching next season.

It was then that the Pistons began to feel more optimistic and prepared their first offer for Williams; Things started moving quickly after that, with the parameters of the deal being discussed over the weekend.

“We kept the conversation warm,” said a source.

Gores and Williams met in Los Angeles on Sunday as the momentum was building. Gores also met several times with Lee and Ollie during this long process. Ollie and I were head coaches for the first time.

Williams has a proven track record that Gores has focused on, especially since the Pistons outlined principles for their next coach: defense, discipline, and development.

Williams led the Phoenix Suns to two championship titles, then led them to the best record in the NBA in 2021-22. The Suns had not made the playoffs since 2010 prior to Williams’ arrival, and in the preceding season, they had won just 19 games.

The Pistons haven’t won a playoff game since 2008 and have been in complete rebuilding over the past few years. They were expecting a jumper last season, but when Cade Cunningham lost out to preseason surgery, they were in the Victor Wembanyama lottery — tied for the best odds for the top NBA Draft pick.

In the end, they dropped to 5th in the lottery and will either add another young player to their pool or perhaps select a veteran player. In addition to Cunningham, Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren made great strides during the season and scored on the All-Rookie Second Team.

The Pistons believe Williams will develop their young core. They believe they have the best coach in the market and are putting their money whereabouts to lure Williams back to the sideline.