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Details of Monty Williams’ record-breaking contract with the Detroit Pistons

Williams, who until recently was with the Suns, will enjoy the highest-paid contract in NBA history with the Pistons.

Andy Hall
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Williams, who until recently was with the Suns, will enjoy the highest-paid contract in NBA history with the Pistons.
KEVORK DJANSEZIANAFP

The NBA raises the bar in terms the wages its coaches will take home. A new record will be set when Monty Williams signs his contract with the Detroit Pistons and takes office. Up until last month, the 51-year-old was in charge of the Suns, and now he is set to be the highest-paid coach in NBA history.

The Athletic’s Shams Charania and James Edwards confirmed that a verbal agreement exists between the two parties for Williams to join the Pistons starting this summer.

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However, the actual figures on how much Williams will earn in Detroit vary. From what we know, it will be a six-year contract, he will head a long-term project to try to put the team back on the NBA map, for which he will take home $78.5 million. One the deal is made is official, the figure will also be confirmed: $13 million per year. In addition, based on successes and various clauses that will be specified in the agreement, the union between Williams and Detroit could be extended for a further two seasons - making eight in total. If that happens, his salary would skyrocket to $100 million.

The NBA's best paid coaches

  1. Monty Williams $13.05 million (Detroit Pistons)
  2. Gregg Popovich $11.5 million (San Antonio Spurs)
  3. Steve Kerr $9.5 million (Golden State Warriors)
  4. Erik Spoelstra $8.5 million (Miami Heat)
  5. Rick Carlisle $7.25 million (Indiana Pacers)

Williams will replace Dwane Casey, who has left his coaching career to take a position in the franchise offices. After spending nine seasons in the NBA as a player with several franchises (the Knicks, Spurs, Nuggets, the Magic and the 76ers), he spent the 2004-05 season as a coaching intern with his old team the Spurs before heading to Portland to work under Nate McMillan. In 2015, he landed a post as associate head coach at Oklahoma but left the following year to take some time out following the tragic death of his wife Ingrid in a car accident.

He returned in 2019, signing a five-year deal with the Suns where he would enjoy unprecedented success. In 2020/21, Williams led Phoenix to a 51-21 regular season record and took them to their NBA final in 28 years. However, there was a clash of personalities or conflict of interests with new owner Mat Ishbia, who called for Williams to be sacked following the team’s premature exit from the postseason.

Williams also has built up experience working as an assistant to other coaches - in the NBA, with the Blazers, Thunder and 76ers and at international level, as Mike Krzyzewski’s deputy with the USA national team from 2014 to 2016.