Five potential replacements for Monty Williams

Monty Williams' tenure with the Detroit Pistons has ended abruptly. The one-time NBA Coach of the Year led Detroit to a 14-68 record in 2023-24 and he team set the NBA record for consecutive losses, dropping 27 games in a row. Williams also made some questionable decisions regarding his rotations and showed little sign of developing the young talent at his disposal. 

Following Detroit's decision to part ways with Williams, the team will now be looking for a new head coach. The coaching free-agent market is quite slim, but there are some candidates who could make sense for a rebuilding Pistons team.

Here are five coaching options Trajan Langdon could explore.

1. James Borrego 

Borrego appears to be a hot commodity on the NBA market this summer. His name has already been linked with the vacant positions of the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers. He has experience working with a rebuilding team, both in his four years as head coach of the Hornets and during his stints as an assistant. He is known for his offensive innovation, but he must prove himself on the defensive side of the ball.

2. Kenny Atkinson 

Atkinson is known as a player-development coach. He worked wonders during his time with the Brooklyn Nets, where D'Angelo Russell emerged as one of the most exciting point guards in the Eastern Conference under Borrego's tutelage.

Atkinson has been an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors for the past three seasons. He would be a strong candidate to work with Detroit's young talent and help develop them into a competitive unit. 

3. Sam Cassell 

Cassell has been an assistant coach for 15 years and has made no secret about his desire to become a head coach. He helped Joe Mazzulla and the Boston Celtics win a championship this year. As a former player and NBA champion, Cassell would bring a pedigree to the Pistons and could instantly command respect in the locker room. His history as a high-level point guard could also entice Detroit as they look to get the best out of Cade Cunningham.

4. JJ Redick

Redick is reportedly closing in on the Los Angeles Lakers head coaching job. However, the Pistons would have far less pressure to hit the ground running. Redick could develop as a coach and implement a system in Detroit without all of the media hype and scrutiny that comes with coaching LeBron James and the Lakers. 

Furthermore, Redick may decide to head to Motor City after Rob Pelinka and the Lakers front office have dragged their heels on hiring him and publicly flirted with Dan Hurley. 

5. Sean Sweeney 

After a successful spell with the Pistons as Dwane Casey's assistant, Sweeny has been working with the Dallas Mavericks in recent years. The Athletic's James L. Edwards III has listed Sweeney as a potential coaching target for Detroit. His familiarity with the franchise and growing reputation around the NBA make him a logical target.