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"Nah motherf**ker you going to play this contract out": Gilbert Arenas rips Detroit Pistons over Monty Williams' $65M payout post-firing

Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas has shared his thoughts on the Detroit Pistons' decision to fire Monty Williams, and they're not positive. Williams was let go by the Pistons just one year after he signed a six-year, $78.5 million contract that made him the highest-paid coach in NBA history.

The Pistons hoped that Williams would be the key to turn things around for the franchise. However, the team finished with a 14-58 record, which made them the worst team in the league the past season. The franchise also set a record for having 28 straight losses in a single season.

On his show Gil's Arena, Arenas didn't think the Pistons' decision to fire the former Head Coach of the Year after one disappointing season with $65 million left on the deal made any sense.

"This man [Monty Williams] is about to sit at home making $65 million and y'all about to hire another coach to do the same thing. Nah motherf**er you going to play this contract out," Arenas said.

Given that the remaining money from the contract is guaranteed, the former star guard believes that the Pistons are throwing away money after their decision.

Arenas was frustrated that the Pistons were wasting money by replacing their coach after just one season. He compared the franchise to what the Milwaukee Bucks did over the past season. They fired Mike Budenholzer and named Adrian Griffin their new head coach.

The franchise gave him a multiyear deal that would pay him $4 million annually. However, he was let go after 43 games and the Bucks hired Doc Rivers. Rivers signed a $40 million deal to coach Milwaukee until the 2026-27 season.

Also read: Will Monty Williams make $65 million despite firing from Pistons? Closer look at veteran coach's contract


Why did the Detroit Pistons fire Williams?

After one abysmal season, the Detroit Pistons are focused on moving forward with a different head coach. The team's owner, Tom Gores, had an influence on the decision to let Williams go. However, it was Trajan Langdon, the team's new president of basketball operations, who broke the news to the veteran coach.

Gores released a statement on Wednesday to address the organization's decision to fire Williams.

"Decisions like these are difficult to make, and I want to thank Monty for his hard work and dedication," Gores stated. "Coaching has many dynamic challenges that emerge during a season and Monty always handled those with grace. However, after reviewing our performance carefully and assessing our current position as an organization, we will chart a new course moving forward."

The team's performance was the biggest issue in Williams' firing. The Detroit Pistons will now look to turn things around with their young core and a new head coach.

Also read: “Isaiah not Isiah”: Detroit Pistons legend reacts to X account's blunder on Isaiah Thomas and AK 47 incident

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