Report: Monty Williams Not Open To Buyout With Pistons

Williams signed a six-year, $78.5 million contract with the Pistons.

“For now, at the bottom of the standings, there has been ongoing speculation among rival front offices about a potential change atop Detroit’s organizational chart following the Pistons’ strugglesome campaign,” Fischer wrote. “At this juncture, according to one source with knowledge of the situation, there is no expectation that Williams would be open to any buyout of his six-year, $78.5 million contract.”

The Pistons have the worst record in the NBA. They are only 13-65. 

Detroit lost 28 games in a row earlier this season. Williams is in his first year with the Pistons. 

Williams has coached the New Orleans Pelicans, Phoenix Suns and Pistons. The Suns reached the NBA Finals in 2021, losing to the Milwaukee Bucks in six games.

Williams is 380-401 in the regular season and 29-27 in the playoffs. 

The Pistons are 26th in the NBA in points per game, 26th in points per game allowed and 28th in net rating. Their best player is Cade Cunningham, who is averaging 22.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 7.5 assists this season while shooting 44.9% from the field, 35.5% from beyond the arc and 86.9% from the free-throw line. 

“In today’s world, we look at improved as almost like a negative,” Williams said about Cunningham. “If he improved, it’s like, ‘Oh, he must have been bad.’ That’s not the way to look at it. It’s even better when you’re talented, have shown the ability to play at a high level and then take it to another level. That should be applauded, and he’s one of those guys.”

The Pistons drafted Cunningham with the first overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft out of Oklahoma State. Detroit can sign Cunningham to a rookie-scale extension this summer.