“Stop Firing NBA Coaches”: Gilbert Arenas Goes Off After Pistons Break $78.5 Million Worth Ties With Monty Williams

Firing and changing the head coach is the first move in a rebuild for most NBA teams in this modern era. After the firing of J. B. Bickerstaff by the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Detroit Pistons have joined the trend by dismissing 2022 Coach of the Year Monty Williams. While most firings have been justified to an extent, Piston’s sudden decision remains a wonder for many. Wizards icon Gilbert Arenas is one of them. In denial of this move by the Pistons, he went on to call them out for wasting millions of dollars. 

Monty Williams became the highest-paid NBA coach when he signed a six-year, $78.5 million contract last season. He was considered a crucial part of the Pistons’ rebuild, but after just one season, Williams is out of the conversation. Arenas shared his thoughts on this firing and he did not hold back. 

The 3x All-Star shared, “You got $32 million at home on coaches, then you just paid him $10 (million). You are spending $42 million on coaches”. The worst part for the Pistons is that they owe Williams $65 million, the remaining money of his six-year contract. Arenas was frustrated about this too. 

He added, “This man is about to sit at home making $65 million and y’all about to hire you another coach to do the same thing he would have did. Nah motherf*****, you are going to play this contract out.” He also added in the captions of the below post, “STOP Firing NBA coaches”. 

Monty Williams was with the Suns before he joined the Pistons. In 2021, he led them to the Finals, the next year, he was named the Coach of the Year, and in 2023, he was fired with a 45-37 record despite the team making it to the playoffs.

On the other hand, the Pistons finished the season with a 14-68 record, which is one of the lowest in the league history. So is this firing justified? Or do the coaches need more time to prove themselves? 

Milwaukee Bucks make Gilbert Arenas’ case on inefficient use of money on coaches

The Milwaukee Bucks changed their head coach twice in the last season. Mike Budenholzer was fired in 2023 after the Bucks’ first-round exit. Later it was Adrian Griffin, who was dismissed midseason despite a 30-13 winning record. Now, the Bucks have settled for Doc Rivers but will continue to pay the above two coaches. 

Arenas mocked the Bucks for having three coaches on their pay slips. Mike Budenholzer had $16 million remaining on his contract before this season. He was paid $8 million this season, and he is due another $8 million in the upcoming season. 

Coming to Adrian Griffin, the Bucks will be paying him $4 million each for the next three seasons, which makes it a total of $12 million. Rivers’ contract with the Milwaukee unit is through the 2026-27 season for $40 million. Now, the Pistons are in a similar situation but will have to dish out heftier paychecks. 

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the Reese-Clark rivalry and more, watch this video: