Latest news with #Bulls'
Time of India
2 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
The Chicago Bulls extend Billy Donovan and fans are left wondering if real change is ever coming
(Image Source - Getty Images) The Chicago Bulls have taken a big step by extending head coach Billy Donovan's contract for multiple years, ensuring he stays in charge until at least the 2025-26 season. Negotiations kicked off at the end of last season and carried on through a hectic offseason filled with the draft, free agency, and summer league activities. This choice has sparked mixed feelings among fans, especially given the team's challenges under Donovan, leading many to wonder if this indicates a desire for change. Billy Donovan will enter his sixth season with the Chicago Bulls in 2025 Billy Donovan had one year remaining on his current contract and has been a key figure for the Bulls' management. Discussions about an extension began after last season and continued even when the New York Knicks showed interest in Donovan for their head coaching position. However, the Bulls turned down the Knicks' request to interview him, clearly indicating their desire to retain him in Chicago. 'Donovan is viewed as a leader within the Bulls organization,', stressing the franchise's trust in his ability to lead the team through its present difficulties. This extension ensures Donovan will enter his sixth season with the Bulls in 2025-26, marking his 800th NBA game coached. His career record stands at 438-362 over 10 seasons, including his time with the Oklahoma City Thunder. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Live Comfortably: 60m2 prefabricated bungalow for the elderly in Lubuk Baja Pre Fabricated Homes | Search Ads Search Now Undo In Chicago, however, his record is a more modest 195-205, with the team posting back-to-back 39-43 seasons, finishing ninth in the Eastern Conference, and losing in the play-in tournament for three straight years. Billy Donovan's Hall of Fame induction adds weight to Chicago Bulls decision to keep him The Bulls' decision to extend Donovan comes as the Eastern Conference grows increasingly competitive. Rising teams like the Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic, alongside powerhouses like the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks, have raised the bar. The Bulls, stuck near .500, lack the star power or depth to match these contenders, leaving fans skeptical about the team's direction. Also Read: The Los Angeles Lakers might lose Lebron James in 2026 after his surprising meeting with Nikola Jokic's agent To the optimists, there is some hope in Donovan extension. His exposure to young talent and talent management skills may prove very useful as Bulls incorporate new players in their team who were drafted recently. His hall of fame nomination and his other accomplishment of coaching 800 games in the NBA prove his reputation of a respected leader. To doubters, however, it is just postponement of the inevitable, a reluctance to get at underlying roster and strategic problems. FAQs How many seasons has Billy Donovan coached the Chicago Bulls? He will enter his sixth season with the Bulls in 2025–26. What concerns do fans have about the extension? Many fans feel it avoids addressing the team's roster and strategy issues. What is Billy Donovan's total career coaching record? He has a 438–362 record over 10 NBA seasons. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
New York Post
3 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Billy Donovan lands extension with Bulls after Knicks' interest in coaching search
The Knicks' coaching search might've helped another candidate land an extension. 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.
The South African
3 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Bulls bully WP with brutal forward dominance
The Bulls overpowered Western Province 48-23 in Pretoria, using their forwards to dominate territory, scrums and the scoreboard throughout. The Bulls wasted no time asserting their dominance, scoring from a rolling maul through hooker Joe van Zyl in the fifth minute. WP responded with a penalty by Kyle Smith, but Zain Davids' yellow card left them exposed against the relentless Bulls' pack. Scrumhalf Zak Burger took full advantage of the overlap, darting over for the Bulls' second try after continuous attacking pressure built. The Pretoria men conceded a restart penalty, allowing Smith to close the gap again before Shilton van Wyk struck for WP. Van Wyk intercepted a loose pass and sprinted away to score against the run of play, energising the home crowd briefly. However, the Bulls hit back with another powerful maul and Sintu Manjezi powered over to silence the fans once again. Province's discipline collapsed under pressure, losing both locks to yellow cards as the Bulls' scrum turned the screw with clinical precision. Jeandré Rudolph picked up the fourth try off a dominant scrum, as WP were reduced to six forwards and little resistance. Despite Chris Smit's yellow card for cynical play, the Bulls stayed in control as Burger scored again before halftime approached. Boeta Chamberlain then slotted a penalty just before the break to stretch the lead to a comfortable 22-point advantage. Province looked sharper after the restart and Courtnall Skosan finished a flowing move to add some hope for the hosts. But Rudolph had the final say, collecting his second try after slick interplay near the line broke WP's fragile defence wide open. Chamberlain punished WP further with a late penalty in the 78th minute, closing out a complete and ruthless Bulls performance. WP will need massive improvement before facing the Lions, while the Bulls look well-oiled ahead of round two next weekend. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
NBA Trade Rumors: Chicago Bulls Guards Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu Drawing Leaguewide Interest Amid Roster Shakeup
Coby White (Image via NBA) The Chicago Bulls are again stirring the NBA trade pot—this time with Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu reportedly gaining attention from teams across the league. Following the trade that sent Lonzo Ball to Cleveland in exchange for Isaac Okoro, the Bulls appear to be on the verge of further backcourt changes amid tightening salary cap pressures and a looming financial reset. Trade Buzz Around Bulls' Backcourt According to ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel, White and Dosunmu have emerged as intriguing trade assets this offseason. 'Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White have drawn plenty of trade interest around the league, sources said. More teams have inquired about Dosunmu since before the draft than White,' Siegel reported. While the Chicago Bulls could hold onto both players through the trade deadline, the noise around potential offseason moves suggests that at least one could be on the way out. Coby White: Career Year, Rising Value Coby White is coming off the most impressive season of his six-year NBA career. The 25-year-old averaged: Stat Category 2024-25 Season Stats Points 20.4 Assists 4.5 Rebounds 3.7 Steals 0.9 Field Goal % 45.3% 3-Point % 37.0% Free Throw % 90.2% True Shooting % 60.1% Minutes Per Game 33.1 White's performance reached its peak during a 14-game stretch in March, where he averaged 29.1 points per game, ultimately earning Eastern Conference Player of the Month honors. Across 422 career games with Chicago, he has maintained averages of 15.2 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.6 rebounds per game. Ayo Dosunmu: Underrated But Reliable While Dosunmu's 2024–25 season didn't grab headlines like White's, his impact was consistent. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Providers are furious: Internet access without a subscription! Techno Mag Learn More Undo Also 25 years old, Dosunmu played a crucial role on both ends of the floor. Ayo Dosunmu (Image via Getty) Stat Category 2024–25 Season Stats Points 12.3 Assists 4.5 Rebounds 3.5 Steals 0.9 Field Goal % 49.2% 3-Point % 32.8% Free Throw % 78.5% True Shooting % 58.5% Minutes Per Game 30.3 Over 279 career games, Dosunmu has recorded steady averages of 10.2 points, 3.3 assists, and 2.9 rebounds. Contract Status and Cap Situation Both White and Dosunmu are entering the final years of their contracts, earning $12.8 million and $7.5 million respectively. Their pending free agency adds urgency to the Bulls' decision-making, especially with limited room under the cap. Chicago Bulls' 2025–26 Financial Snapshot: Key Financials Amount Total Salary Commitments $153+ million Remaining Cap Space ~$1.5 million Major Expiring Contracts (2026) ~$95 million The expiring deals of Nikola Vucevic ($21.5M), Zach Collins ($18M), and Kevin Huerter ($18M) could clear the path for a near-total cap reset in 2026. This potential flexibility increases the likelihood that the front office will act now to align the roster with future goals. What's Next for the Chicago Bulls? While no trade is imminent, the groundwork for a backcourt shakeup is clearly in motion. Whether the Chicago Bulls decide to keep one guard, move both, or wait until the deadline, their long-term strategy is starting to emerge—cut costs now, assess young talent, and open the door to a major retooling next summer. As Brett Siegel noted, even amid uncertainty, there is persistent 'buzz that exists regarding one of these players being dealt this offseason.' Also read: NBA Speculation: Giannis Antetokounmpo' Future Raises Eyebrows as LeBron James' Trade Talk Fades With the Bulls' quiet but deliberate moves in the background of Summer League, all eyes remain on Chicago as the front office navigates one of the most crucial offseasons in recent memory. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Manika Batra's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 3. Watch Here!
The Citizen
10-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
OPINION: New signings at Bulls raise expectations on new coach
The Bulls' new signings bolster an already strong team and with Jake White gone, the new coach will face the blame if success isn't achieved. Jake White and one of his potential replacements at the Bulls, Franco Smith, who currently coaches Glasgow Warriors. Picture: Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images The winds of change are blowing at the Bulls with the departure of head coach Jake White, a new coach on the horizon, and a slew of experienced players set to join the ranks next season. Bulls CEO Edgar Rathbone said he hopes to replace White by the end of July, and it is expected that one of a handful of candidates will take the helm. But they may hesitate before steering the ship in a whole new direction. Hard act to follow Since White joined the Pretoria union in 2020, he helped the Bulls win the Super Rugby Unlocked title, Rainbow Cup SA title, and reach three United Rugby Championship finals and one quarter-final. The Bulls were South Africa's most successful club in this period. But discontent among players and assistant coaches, and some strong opinions uttered by White regarding the status quo, trumped his success. Austrian philosopher and Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl wrote, 'When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.' And so White was realistic and humble in his exit. Rather than fighting the board, he left by mutual consent, saying the club needed a 'new voice'. Springbok signings mean new Bulls coach has little excuse The Bulls' new signings include Springbok flyhalf Handré Pollard, former Springbok centre Jan Serfontein, and locks Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg and Marvin Orie. Pollard will resolve the Bulls' flyhalf problem after it came into sharp focus thanks to the long lay-off of the perennially-injured Johan Goosen this season. Goosen, who has one year left of his contract, admitted it was a good signing for the club. Serfontein will bring experience and flair to the midfield. Playing predominantly at inside centre, fans could see him alternate with Harold Vorster in the position, with Stedman Gans or David Kriel on the outside, and Canan Moodie shifting to wing, where he is often more dangerous anyway. Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg and Marvin Orie are interesting signings after Bulls captain Ruan Nortjé had to adapt to flanker due to a glut of talent that was already in the second row. Cobus Wiese, Reinhardt Ludwig, Ruan Vermaak, JF van Heerden and Sintu Manjezi will have to work all the harder to earn their spots in the new season. Stormers scrumhalf Paul de Wet joins the ranks too. After sharing the number nine spot with Stefan Ungerer and Herschel Jantjies at the Cape Town union, he will do the same with Embrose Papier and Zak Burger at the Bulls. All this while Springbok wing Kurt-Lee Arendse returns from his Japan Sabbatical. The new signings add to an already experienced and battle-hardened squad. They will be expected to achieve greatness next season. Anything less will be blamed on the new coach.
