NBA Rumors: Monty Williams To Be "Aggressively Pursued" By One Team; 3 Top Destinations


It appears that Monty Williams won't be out of a job for long. The two-time Coach of the Year was fired by the Phoenix Suns on the weekend after their elimination in the second-round of the NBA playoffs. But according to Insider Shams Charania, the Milwaukee Bucks, for one, will be "aggressively" pursuing him.  

“The Bucks will pursue Monty Williams from what I’m told, pretty aggressively," says Charania. "He’s near or at the top of their list after they fired Mike Budenholzer.

But as Shams goes on to note, there are other teams that will be strongly in the mix for Williams as well. Here are the top 3:

Milwaukee Bucks

Who wouldn't want the chance to coach Giannis Antetokounmpo? It's a championship waiting to happen, and the Bucks would seem to have the upper hand if Williams is open to listen. Milwaukee won the title in 2021, and was the favorite going into the playoffs this year, until their shocking five-game loss to the Miami Heat in the first round (Giannis was injured for some time in that series).

Toronto Raptors

Another team with a lot of talented pieces, though not nearly as close to a championship as Milwaukee. But Masai Ujiri is all about culture, and Williams would be a tremendous fit in Toronto, able to work with both their established veterans and the young star of the future, Scottie Barnes.

Detroit Pistons

The Pistons relieved Dwane Casey of his coaching duties after the season, kicking him upstairs, and they've already got three finalists in mind for the position. But that was until Monty Williams became available. As Shams notes, "if you have a guy like Monty Williams available... you have to take a look... if he wants to come and be a part of this upstart organization with a blank slate."

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