Kevin Durant, Suns ex-HC Monty Williams turns down high-paying opportunity from Eastern franchise

Monty Williams, a former head coach of Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns, didn’t linger on the job market for very long after being let go. Following their loss in the NBA Draught Lottery, the Detroit Pistons allegedly made Williams a sizable cash offer in an attempt to sign him, which was declined by him. Williams, who is renowned for his efforts in creating a solid culture and making the Suns a reliable threat in the Western Conference, was viewed as a key asset for a Pistons club that had top draught selection, Cade Cunningham.

Detroit will now continue their hunt for a new head coach since the Pistons’ attempts were eventually fruitless. The departure of former Pistons head coach Dwane Casey, who transitioned to a role in the front office, has left a vacancy that the organization aims to fill with a capable leader.

When did the Suns hire Monty Williams?

As the Phoenix Suns’ new head coach in 2019, Monty Williams had a significant influence. The Suns reached the NBA Finals in 2020–21 under his direction, demonstrating their tremendous success.  He got the opportunity to coach players like Kevin Durant, Chris Paul and Devin Booker. Williams showed off his coaching skills by leading the club to new heights over the course of four seasons with a record of 194-115.

Williams received the NBA Coach of the Year honour last year in appreciation of his remarkable coaching abilities. The Suns’ remarkable 64-win regular season earned Williams this honour, enhancing his standing as a capable and significant coach.

Williams had proven time and time again to be able to build and lead a competitive team, fostering a winning culture inside the company.

Why did the Suns fire Monty?

Just two years after making it to the NBA Finals and one year after winning Coach of the Year, the Phoenix Suns made the unexpected decision to fire head coach Monty Williams on Saturday. Despite having a 63% win percentage over his four regular seasons in Phoenix, the Suns’ string of playoff failures, including two humiliating home finale defeats, probably had a big impact on the decision. There is a rumour that top level players like Kevin Durant and Chris Paul were asked before the firing

Williams’ services to the team and the community were acknowledged by Suns president of basketball operations and general manager James Jones, who nonetheless decided to fire him. The Suns had a promising 2-0 lead in the 2021 NBA Finals but ended up losing in six games. In the past two seasons, they were eliminated in the second round, both times in disappointing fashion.

This move adds Phoenix to the list of high-profile coaching vacancies, joining teams like Toronto and Milwaukee. The decision comes shortly after new owner Mat Ishbia took control of the Suns and approved a blockbuster trade that brought Kevin Durant to the team, aiming to bolster their chances of winning a championship. However, the Suns fell short of their aspirations this season even after great performances by Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, with injuries and fatigue hampering their playoff performance.

Williams shouldered some of the blame for the team’s shortcomings and expressed his disappointment in not having the Suns ready for crucial games. Despite his impressive coaching resume and achievements, including reaching the NBA Finals and being recognized as Coach of the Year, Williams now faces an uncertain future. His dismissal by the Suns highlights the fleeting nature of the coaching profession in the NBA by adding him to the list of coaches who were fired soon after guiding their teams to the championship game.

Williams compiled a regular-season record of 194-115 and a playoff record of 29-27 while being with Phoenix. The Suns will now start a new chapter in their quest for success even if his departure signals the end of an era for the franchise.

What will be his next destination?

The future plans of former Phoenix Suns and Kevin Durant head coach Monty Williams are presently unknown. He is now up for grabs, with  Monty Williams recently declining a hefty offer from the Detroit Pistons. As of right moment, no particular team has been identified as his intended final stop.

Monty Williams as a head coach had a good regular season with the Phoenix Suns but their bad playoff exit led to his firing. His accessibility creates a chance for other organisations to pursue his services. It has not yet been decided where he will land next.