Pistons dismiss head coach Monty Williams

The Detroit Pistons have fired head coach Monty Williams after just one season, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

With just a season under Williams, the Pistons will absorb the remaining of his $65 million contract.

According to Wojnarowski, the decision apparently did not come from newly-hired Pistons president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon, but directly from the ownership headed by Tom Gores.

Williams was notably hired by the Pistons just over a year ago from the Phoenix Suns for a record $78 million, making him the highest-paid coach in the league. However, after yet another disappointing season for Detroit, the franchise pulled the trigger and will proceed in a new direction under Langdon.

Langdon and Detroit will now begin a coaching search along with teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers for their head tactician come next season.

The Pistons finished with a league-worst record this season at just 14-68 under Williams. They hold the 5th pick in this year’s draft and have some good young pieces Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, and Jaden Ivey to work on long-term.