Career Timeline of Monty Williams: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Monty Williams made an impact.

Tavares Montgomery "Monty" Williams is an American professional basketball coach, executive, and former NBA player. He currently coaches the TMI Episcopal’s boys basketball team and most recently served as the head coach for the Detroit Pistons. Williams' NBA playing career spanned from 1994-2003, playing for five teams. His NBA coaching career includes positions as assistant, associate head, and head coach.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1994: NBA Career Begins

In 1994, Monty Williams began his NBA playing career, which would span until 2003.

1994: Begins Playing for the New York Knicks

In 1994, Monty Williams began playing for the New York Knicks.

1994: Drafted by the New York Knicks

In 1994, despite a pre-existing heart condition, Monty Williams was drafted by the New York Knicks in the first round (24th overall) of the NBA draft.

1996: Traded to the San Antonio Spurs

In 1996, Monty Williams was traded to the San Antonio Spurs along with Charles Smith.

1996: Leaves the New York Knicks

In 1996, Monty Williams' time with the New York Knicks concluded.

1998: Leaves San Antonio Spurs

In 1998, Monty Williams' tenure with the San Antonio Spurs came to an end.

1999: Signed with and Released by the Denver Nuggets

In 1999, Monty Williams signed with the Denver Nuggets but was released within a month.

2002: Leaves Orlando Magic

In 2002, Monty Williams left the Orlando Magic.

2003: NBA Playing Career Ends

In 2003, Monty Williams ended his NBA playing career.

2003: Retirement from NBA due to Knee Problems

In 2003, Monty Williams was re-acquired and waived by the Orlando Magic, effectively ending his basketball career due to chronic knee problems.

2005: Hired as Assistant Coach for Trail Blazers

In fall 2005, Monty Williams was hired as an assistant coach for the Portland Trail Blazers under new head coach Nate McMillan.

2005: Wins NBA Championship with Spurs

In spring 2005, Monty Williams won an NBA championship as a coaching staff intern with the San Antonio Spurs.

June 7, 2010: Offered Head Coach Position with Hornets

On June 7, 2010, Monty Williams was offered a three-year contract to be the head coach of the New Orleans Hornets, becoming the youngest head coach in the NBA at 38 years old.

2010: Head Coach for the Hornets/Pelicans

In 2010, Monty Williams became the head coach for the New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans, a position he held until 2015.

2011: Coached Chris Paul in the New Orleans Hornets

In 2011, Monty Williams coached Chris Paul in the New Orleans Hornets, before reuniting in 2020.

August 18, 2012: Accepts Contract Extension from Hornets/Pelicans

On August 18, 2012, Monty Williams accepted a four-year contract extension from the Hornets, later renamed as the Pelicans.

June 9, 2013: Assistant Coach Role with U.S. National Team

On June 9, 2013, Monty Williams accepted an assistant coach role with the U.S. national team, along with Jim Boeheim and Tom Thibodeau, for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

2014: Pelicans Season

In the 2014 season, the New Orleans Pelicans finished with a 45-37 record before losing to the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs.

May 12, 2015: Let Go as Pelicans Head Coach

On May 12, 2015, Monty Williams was let go after five seasons as head coach of the Pelicans.

June 29, 2015: Associate Head Coach of Oklahoma City Thunder

On June 29, 2015, Monty Williams became the associate head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

2015: End of Hornets/Pelicans Coaching Tenure

In 2015, Monty Williams' tenure as the head coach of the New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans concluded.

June 1, 2016: Departure from Oklahoma City Thunder

On June 1, 2016, it was announced that Monty Williams would not return with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

2016: Becomes Vice President of Basketball Operations for Spurs

In 2016, Monty Williams became the vice president of basketball operations for the San Antonio Spurs.

2016: Olympics in Rio de Janeiro

Monty Williams was part of the coaching staff for the U.S. National Team at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

June 4, 2018: Joins Philadelphia 76ers as Lead Assistant Coach

On June 4, 2018, Monty Williams joined Brett Brown's staff in Philadelphia as the lead assistant coach.

May 3, 2019: Signed as Head Coach of Phoenix Suns

On May 3, 2019, the Phoenix Suns announced they had signed Monty Williams as the team's head coach on a five-year deal.

May 2019: Hired as Phoenix Suns Head Coach

In May 2019, Monty Williams was hired as the head coach of the Phoenix Suns.

November 16, 2020: Reunites with Chris Paul

On November 16, 2020, Monty Williams reunited with Chris Paul after last coaching him back in 2011 when they were with the New Orleans Hornets.

2020: Coaches Suns in NBA Bubble

In 2020, Monty Williams coached the Phoenix Suns to an 8-0 record in the NBA Bubble, though they failed to qualify for the play-in tournament.

2021: Leads Suns to NBA Finals

In 2021, Monty Williams led the Phoenix Suns to their first NBA Finals appearance since 1993.

July 27, 2022: Signed to Multi-Year Contract Extension

On July 27, 2022, the Suns signed Monty Williams to a multi-year contract extension.

May 13, 2023: Fired by the Phoenix Suns

On May 13, 2023, Monty Williams was fired by the Phoenix Suns after losing to the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference semifinals.

June 2, 2023: Named Head Coach for the Detroit Pistons

On June 2, 2023, Monty Williams was named head coach for the Detroit Pistons.

2023: Dismissed by Phoenix, Hired by Detroit Pistons

In 2023, Monty Williams was dismissed by the Phoenix Suns and subsequently agreed to a six-year coaching contract with the Detroit Pistons.

June 19, 2024: Fired as Head Coach for the Detroit Pistons

On June 19, 2024, after one season, Monty Williams was fired as head coach for the Detroit Pistons after leading them to a franchise-worst record.

October 20, 2024: Accepts Head Coaching Position at TMI Episcopal

On October 20, 2024, Monty Williams accepted the boys’ basketball head coaching position at TMI Episcopal in San Antonio, TX, where he will coach his sons Elijah and Micah.