Billy Donovan lands extension with Bulls after Knicks' interest in coaching search
Billy Donovan, whom the Knicks requested to interview after firing Tom Thibodeau before the Bulls rejected it, signed a multi-year extension to remain in Chicago, ESPN reported Sunday.
The terms of the deal weren't immediately known, and negotiations initially started during last season, the outlet added.
Billy Donovan reacts from the sideline during the Bulls' April 16 game.
Getty Images
But it'll allow Donovan to remain with the Bulls into the future after spending five seasons with the Thunder and then getting hired by Chicago for the 2020-21 campaign.
He has collected a 195-205 record with the Bulls, and he helped them make the postseason during his second campaign before falling short in each of the last three years.
In 2024-25, Chicago went 39-43 but lost in the play-tournament to the Heat.
Billy Donovan talks with Coby White during the Bulls' March 13 game.
Getty Images
The Knicks made their request to interview Donovan early in their coaching search following their shocking decision to fire Thibodeau, but similar to their requests for the Mavericks' Jason Kidd, the Rockets' Ime Udoka, the Timberwolves' Chris Finch and the Hawks' Quin Snyder, they weren't allowed to move forward with him.
Udoka secured a multi-year extension that made him one of the NBA's highest-paid coaches, while NBA insider Marc Stein reported that the Mavericks are expected to extend Kidd before the start of next season.
The Knicks ended up hiring Mike Brown, the former Kings, Cavaliers and Lakers coach who will now be tasked with ensuring that a coaching change doesn't result in a step back from a run to the Eastern Conference finals.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Bulls and coach Billy Donovan agree to a contract extension
CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Bulls and coach Billy Donovan have agreed to a contract extension, the team said Sunday. The team did not reveal the length or financial terms of the contract. Donovan has a 195-205 record with one playoff appearance in five seasons as the Bulls' coach. Chicago went 39-43 for the second straight season and finished ninth in the Eastern Conference before getting knocked out of the play-in tournament by Miami for the third year in a row with a blowout loss at home. The poor showing against the Heat came after a 15-5 finish to the regular season, albeit when some opponents were tanking to boost their lottery odds and others were resting key players ahead of the playoffs. The Bulls traded DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso before last season and dealt Zach LaVine before the deadline in February. They also implemented a quicker pace. Coby White averaged a career-high 20.4 points and Josh Giddey came on strong down the stretch in his first season in Chicago. Chicago has been relatively quiet this offseason. The Bulls drafted Noa Essengue out of the French Basketball League with the No. 12 overall pick and traded Lonzo Ball to Cleveland for Isaac Okoro. Donovan is 438-362 in 10 seasons as an NBA head coach. He was arguably the most attractive candidate on the market when the Bulls hired him in September 2020 to replace the fired Jim Boylen following a five-year run in Oklahoma City. He led the Thunder to a 243-157 record and playoff appearances each season while working with stars such as Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Chris Paul. Donovan previously coached for 19 seasons at the University of Florida and won back-to-back NCAA titles. He is set to be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in September. ___ AP NBA:
Associated Press
24 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Bulls and coach Billy Donovan agree to a contract extension
CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Bulls and coach Billy Donovan have agreed to a contract extension, the team said Sunday. The team did not reveal the length or financial terms of the contract. Donovan has a 195-205 record with one playoff appearance in five seasons as the Bulls' coach. Chicago went 39-43 for the second straight season and finished ninth in the Eastern Conference before getting knocked out of the play-in tournament by Miami for the third year in a row with a blowout loss at home. The poor showing against the Heat came after a 15-5 finish to the regular season, albeit when some opponents were tanking to boost their lottery odds and others were resting key players ahead of the playoffs. The Bulls traded DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso before last season and dealt Zach LaVine before the deadline in February. They also implemented a quicker pace. Coby White averaged a career-high 20.4 points and Josh Giddey came on strong down the stretch in his first season in Chicago. Chicago has been relatively quiet this offseason. The Bulls drafted Noa Essengue out of the French Basketball League with the No. 12 overall pick and traded Lonzo Ball to Cleveland for Isaac Okoro. Donovan is 438-362 in 10 seasons as an NBA head coach. He was arguably the most attractive candidate on the market when the Bulls hired him in September 2020 to replace the fired Jim Boylen following a five-year run in Oklahoma City. He led the Thunder to a 243-157 record and playoff appearances each season while working with stars such as Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Chris Paul. Donovan previously coached for 19 seasons at the University of Florida and won back-to-back NCAA titles. He is set to be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in September. ___ AP NBA:
New York Times
2 hours ago
- New York Times
Bulls, Billy Donovan agree to contract extension: Source
Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan has inked an extension with the franchise, per a team source. Donovan will enter his sixth season at the helm, having amassed a 195-205 record since 2020. The Bulls have finished the past three seasons in the NBA's Play-In Tournament. Donovan, who will be a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame 2025 induction class, was notably pursued by the New York Knicks during their coaching search before they were ultimately turned away. Negotiations between the Bulls and Donovan reportedly preceded the Knicks' interest. Advertisement Following the 2023-24 season, Donovan's staff was shaken up, with assistants Chris Fleming and Maurice Cheeks let go. Wes Unseld Jr. and Dan Craig were later brought in. Donovan's time with the Bulls began following six seasons as head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder, which concluded in 2020, when Donovan was named the NBA co-Coach of the Year. 'It became apparent that we couldn't provide (Donovan) the information on the future direction of the team over the next several seasons to give him the level of clarity that he understandably desires at this stage of his career,' Thunder general manager Sam Presti said in a statement after mutually parting ways with Donovan following the expiration of his contract. Now, Donovan will head a team that's made a single rotational change — trading guard Lonzo Ball to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Isaac Okoro — since May's ninth-place finish, which resulted in a first-round out in the Play-In Tournament. Donovan, who also coached two NCAA championship teams at Florida, is set to be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in September.
