Bucks, Raptors, Pistons Expected to Seriously Pursue Monty Williams

The Bucks beat Monty Williams and the Suns in the 2021 Finals, and now, they may ask him to join them.

Per Shams Charania of The Athletic, Milwaukee is expected to seriously pursue Williams for its coaching vacancy, created after the season when Mike Budenholzer was fired. Williams was dismissed as Phoenix coach over the weekend.

But the Bucks will not be alone. The Raptors and Pistons are also expected to go after Williams for their own coaching vacancy. Toronto, of course, recently fired Nick Nurse — who won a championship in 2019.

Meanwhile, Dwane Casey moved into the Pistons’ front office, creating the vacancy there. Most recently, former UConn coach Kevin Ollie, Pelicans assistant Jarron Collins and Bucks assistant Charles Lee were said to be the frontrunners in Detroit.

? 2021 champion Mike Budenholzer – fired
? 2021 runner-up Monty Williams – fired
? 2020 champion Frank Vogel – fired (last year)
? 2019 champion Nick Nurse – fired

— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) May 14, 2023

As an interesting aside, Budenholzer and Nurse are reportedly among the favorites to replace Williams with the Suns, as we relayed here. They also would try to make a serious run at Clippers coach Tyronn Lue, should he become available, per Charania.

The Suns could have as many as six or seven strong candidates, which is really no different than any other team conducting a coaching search.

“As for the Suns, I’m told their decision to fire Williams was an organizational choice involving everyone from new team owner Mat Ishbia through all segments of team leadership,” Charania wrote. “The Suns want to choose a new program builder who commands accountability and is creative in their offensive philosophy.”

ESPN analyst Mark Jackson and former NBA shooting guard J.J. Redick are also said to be candidates in Milwaukee.

Bucks expected among teams to seriously pursue Monty Williams, sources say. Williams, who had $21M left on deal, is currently focusing on family in aftermath of ouster in Phoenix.

Details on Williams, Suns plans ahead, more in The Bounce at @TheAthletic: https://t.co/GkuyZI70Ef

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 15, 2023