The Detroit Pistons fired head coach Monty Williams on Wednesday after going an NBA-worst 14-68 in his first season on the sidelines.

Detroit gave Williams a six-year, $78.5million contract last June after he was fired by the Phoenix Suns following the 2022-23 season.

At the time, the deal was the richest ever for an NBA head coach.

Detroit, though, finished with the worst record in franchise history and set an NBA single-season record along the way when it lost 28 straight games after opening 2-1.

“I have great respect for Monty as a coach and as a person and I am certain he will be successful in his future endeavors”

The #Pistons announced today that Monty Williams will not return next season as the team’s head coach: https://t.co/8a4e7hHeOW

— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) June 19, 2024

“Decisions like these are difficult to make, and I want to thank Monty for his hard work and dedication,” Pistons owner Tom Gores said in a statement.

“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 organisation, we will chart a new course moving forward.”

It’s been an eventful off-season for the Pistons, who hired New Orleans Pelicans general manager Trajan Langdon as president of basketball operations and fired general manager Troy Weaver.

Detroit also had no luck in the NBA Draft lottery after being tied with the Washington Wizards for the best odds to secure the No. 1 overall pick at 14 per cent.

The Atlanta Hawks won the lottery despite having just a three per cent chance to win, and the Pistons fell back to the No. 5 selection.