Pistons Hire Ex-Suns Coach Monty Williams​ To Huge Contract: Reports

Update: The Detroit Pistons and former Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams agreed Wednesday to a six-year, $78.5 million contract, the largest coaching contract in NBA history, according to an ESPN report.

DETROIT — The Detroit Pistons are preparing to make a strong offer to fill their head coaching vacancy with former Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams, according to multiple reports.

The Pistons may offer Williams $10 million a year, which would make him the second highest-paid coach in the entire NBA, reports said.

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who has won five NBA titles, leads the NBA at $11.5 million per year. Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr, who has won four NBA titles, is second at $9.5 million per year.

The Athletic was first to report the Pistons' interest in Williams.

The Suns recently fired Williams after the team's disappointing second round playoff loss to the Denver Nuggets. He won coach of the year after leading the Suns to the best record in the NBA last season, which ultimately ended in a disappointing second round playoff loss to the Dallas Mavericks.

In 2021, Williams led the Suns to the NBA Finals in 2021 and went up two games to none, before losing four straight to the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Pistons finished last season with the NBA's worst record at 17-65, but the team was without their former No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham, who was out for most of the season.

After the disappointing season, Pistons coach Dwane Casey announced he will be moving to the team's front office. The team has also been linked to former Overtime Elite coach Kevin Ollie and Milwaukee Bucks assistant Charles Lee.

The Pistons will pick fifth in this year's NBA Draft.