The Detroit Pistons are unlikely to make a coaching change this offseason.
NBA source Marc Stein reported that current Pistons head coach Monty Williams is “likely” to return as the team's head coach despite a difficult season.
Williams was hired by Detroit ahead of the 2023-24 season and still has five years and $80 million remaining on his contract, and the Los Angeles Lakers were thought to be a potential destination if he were released.
Last season was a tough one for the Pistons. Detroit entered the 2023-24 season with a 14-68 record, the worst in the NBA. A 28-game losing streak early in the season played a part in that, and things didn't get any better when the Pistons fell from No. 1 to No. 5 in the NBA Draft Lottery.
Williams wasn't able to elevate the Pistons in his first season, but it would be unfair to say he was expected to lead the team to greatness right away. Detroit hadn't made the playoffs since 2018-19 and was 17-64 entering the 2022-23 season. The roster hadn't changed much from previous seasons, but Williams' failure to contribute to the team's improvement had called his job security into question.
Things got worse because the team intended to leave the final decision regarding the coaching staff and front office future to the newly appointed president of basketball operations, a job that was ultimately taken over by Trajan Langdon.
Rather than select a new coach, the team is likely to re-hire Williams, who had a fairly successful stint with the Phoenix Suns from 2019-20 to 2022-23, leading the team to a 194-115 record and an NBA Finals appearance in 2020-21. That, combined with his hefty contract, could be a factor in Williams staying in charge long-term.
