The Oklahoma City Thunder are understood to be in advanced talks with Monty Williams about becoming a top assistant to new coach Billy Donovan.
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The former New Orleans Pelicans coach has been searching for a new opportunity since being fired last month, and according to reports, a deal could be announced as early as Wednesday with the Thunder, according to ESPN.
It is a real turn of events for Williams given that he was able to guide the Pelicans to the playoffs this past regular season, and in the process eliminated OKC from contention on a tie-breaker in a tight race for the eighth spot in the Western Conference.
After suffering a series sweep at the hands of the Golden State Warriors in the first round, New Orleans opted to fire Williams and have since brought in Alvin Gentry to replace him.
However, it doesn’t appear as though he will be out of the game for too long as he looks set to join Donovan’s staff and play a key role in helping the rookie NBA coach settle in the league.
There are also ties with Donovan given that they both work as coaches for USA Basketball and therefore they have some familiarity with one another as the new Thunder coach puts together his first coaching staff in the league.
Meanwhile, it is also a big move with regards to Kevin Durant who has previously spoken glowingly of Williams as the pair come from the same area with the former MVP revealing that he has great respect for the coach who he described as a “phenomenal leader”.
With Durant set to become a free agent next summer it could be another strategic move by the organisation to keep things in place, but ultimately Williams will be brought in to help Donovan adjust to life in the NBA.
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