Lakers Could Sign $79 Million Coach In ‘What-If’ Scenario

Darvin Ham was served with the same treatment Frank Vogel received after missing the big chance to make the NBA Finals. The Los Angeles Lakers are now looking for a new head coach and NBA analysts believe they will sign the least expected name.

JJ Redick is the frontrunner for the head coaching gig in LA. He is close with LeBron James and they even run a podcast together. He has great experience in the NBA, but let’s be honest, Redick is not the only option on the table.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Monty Williams could be another candidate for the Lakers head coach gig. It’s interesting to note that the experienced head coach is still under contract with the Detroit Pistons. He signed a six-year contract with the team in 2023 and will earn $78.5 million.

“…There is a what-if scenario circulating in coaching circles this week about Monty Williams,” Stein wrote on June 5. “And whether he could still potentially surface as a candidate if the Detroit Pistons were to part ways with Williams after just one season.”

The Pistons have to let their coach go so the Lakers can sign him

What makes Williams an ideal option for the Lakers? Well, the Pistons may cut ties with him. They finished the 2023-24 NBA season with a 14-68 record. The Pistons have already made some changes in the front office and firing Williams makes sense at this point.

“Williams’ status with the Pistons remains uncertain,” Stein added. “And is currently being evaluated by Detroit’s new president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon … even though Williams has five seasons left on a contract worth nearly $80 million.”

Williams didn’t have a great outcome this past season, but he is an excellent coach. He did wonders with the Phoenix Suns and they went 194-115 during his time with the franchise. Let’s not forget that they also made the 2021 NBA Finals. So, yes, Williams really is a good option to consider. The Pistons would have to let him go first.