The Detroit Pistons finally, it seems, have a new head coach.
It took a historically lucrative contract offer for the Pistons to convince Monty Williams to accept the job as coach, after the Pistons’ search hit a quagmire seven weeks after the job opened.
Charles Lee and Kevin Ollie were the two finalists, before Pistons owner Tom Gores came calling a second time to Williams this week. He initially intended to take a gap year following his firing from the Phoenix Suns on May 13, two days after a conference semifinals exit.
BIG DEAL: 3 trades Pistons could make with No. 5 pick in NBA draft
The Pistons will crown Williams, 51, with an annual salary of more than $10 million per year, making him at least the second-highest paid coach in the NBA. Incentives in the deal could push Williams, the 2022 NBA Coach of the Year after the Suns went 64-18, to surpass Gregg Popovich’s $11.5 million yearly salary.
How are folks reacting around the NBA, from reporters, analysts and fans? The reaction is overwhelmingly positive.
Below is a sampling of immediate feedback Wednesday night.
And check out the Free Press’ “The Pistons Pulse” podcast episode from a few weeks ago, embedded below, which discussed the Pistons’ pursuit of Williams.
NBA MOCK DRAFT: Pistons add exciting player with No. 5 pick
BREAKDOWN: Pistons will draft one of these six players with No. 5 pick in NBA draft
Catch this week’s episode of “The Pistons Pulse” podcast, where Omari Sankofa II and Bryce Simon took a deep dive breaking down how well each of the top prospects potentially available at the No. 5 pick fit in with the Pistons, and looked at roster moves the Pistons could make this offseason. Listen below or wherever you tune into podcasts, with new episodes out each Tuesday.