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, but the Bulls declined the Knicks’ interview request, per multiple reports. Negotiations between the Bulls and Donovan reportedly preceded the Knicks’ interest.

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 April’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.

(Photo: Michael Reaves / Getty Images)