"10x better than Podcast Redick" — Lakers fans demand Monty Williams signing over JJ Redick after Pistons fire veteran coach
The Detroit Pistons fired Monty Williams after a dismal 14-68 record, the worst in franchise history. This move has been eyed by some Los Angeles Lakers fans, as their team is still looking for a head coach. The HC position has been vacant since the Lakers let go of Darvin Ham after a poor season that culminated in a first-round exit from the 2024 NBA playoffs.
It has been a tough start to the offseason for the Lakers after UConn's Dan Hurley rejected their offer to be their next head coach. With more coaches still lined up for interviews, some had speculated that the Lakers were waiting to see if the Pistons would be letting go of Monty Williams.
NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski broke the news that the Pistons had let Williams go, and the Lakers fanbase reacted with mixed emotions.
The Lakers Lead X account was quick to say that they are against the idea of Williams becoming the next head coach of LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
"I speak for all Lakers fan when I say were good, we don’t want Monty Williams," Lakers Lead posted.
The post had mixed reactions, with some saying that Williams is a good choice for a head coach.
"No he would be a good choice," said one fan.
"Speak for yourself," replied another.
JJ Reddick has been a hot name in the Lakers coaching search, but some fans feel Monty Williams is a better choice.
"Lakers, I'm pleading. Monty is world class compared to JJ. Please," one X user posted.
"Nah. Rather have Monty than JJ," another cmomenter said.
More than the losing record with the Pistons, another fan thinks it is wise to avoid getting Williams due to his personal problems:
Firing of Monty Williams was an ownership decision
Monty Williams led the Phoenix Suns to the 2021 NBA Finals but lost to the Milwaukee Bucks. That success was the reason the Detroit Pistons threw Williams the bag, hoping he could turn around the franchise as he did with Phoenix.
A season later, the Pistons experienced the worst season in team history. Detroit let go of Troy Weaver after hiring Trajan Langdon as the team's new President of Basketball Operations.
Changes are expected with Langdon's hiring, but there has been chatter about whether he had the guts to fire Williams as one of his moves. However, the former Duke Blue Devil did not lift a finger, as Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the decision to relieve Williams from his duty came from the ownership.
With the 2024 NBA draft just around the corner, Pistons owner Tom Gores will allow Langdon to have a free hand in selecting the next head coach to lead the young core of Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson.