The Detroit Pistons fired head coach Monty Williams on Wednesday, and many people feel he could quickly become a candidate for one of the most prominent jobs in the NBA.
Williams was let go after one season with the Pistons despite having five years and more than $65 million on his contract. As soon as the news broke, people began speculating that the Los Angeles Lakers might want to chat with Williams.
JJ Redick is viewed as the overwhelming favorite to be named the next head coach of the Lakers, but even his ESPN colleague Stephen A. Smith said L.A. “should look at” Williams.
"With Monty Williams available, that is a situation the Los Angeles Lakers should look at."
Stephen A. Smith with a last ditch effort to keep JJ Redick at ESPN? pic.twitter.com/QHdKn9CXkj
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 19, 2024
The reaction on social media was a bit more mixed:
Lakers seeing the Pistons fire Monty Williams pic.twitter.com/2wFF38YTA6
— Dr. Evan Jeffries, DPT (@GameInjuryDoc) June 19, 2024
I know it goes against my reporting and would make me look pretty foolish but a small part of me is rooting for the Lakers to hire Monty Williams because they finally wouldn’t have to pay a coach. A truly hilarious outcome to all of this.
— Anthony F. Irwin (@AnthonyIrwinLA) June 19, 2024
I speak for all Lakers fan when I say were good, we don’t want Monty Williams pic.twitter.com/aM3e8dRaGm
— Lakers Lead (@LakersLead) June 19, 2024
I wonder if the Lakers decide to pivot AGAIN in their search for Darvin Ham's successor in LA, with the news of Monty Williams getting fired by the Pistons.
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) June 19, 2024
Following the Lakers’ failed pursuit of Dan Hurley, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that Redick would get the job once he was done covering the NBA Finals for ESPN. Nothing has been announced, however, which leaves open the possibility that the Lakers could pivot (again) and reach out to Williams.
Williams has been a head coach the last five seasons and has 10 years of NBA head coach experience in total. He was also named NBA Coach of the Year just two years ago. Redick has zero NBA coaching experience.
It seems like the Lakers have been determined to explore all options, so it would hardly be a shock if Williams received consideration from them.
