It didn’t take long for former Thunder head coach Billy Donovan to find himself a new employer. Shortly after general manager Sam Presti revealed that Donovan would not be returning to patrol the sidelines for his club, on Tuesday, it was reported that Donovan would be assuming the helm for the Chicago Bulls.
Despite a productive five years in Oklahoma City and a 243-157 record as head coach, Donovan and Presti ultimately agreed that the head coach would be best served by seeking other opportunities. In his announcement, Presti suggested that the Thunder would continue rebuilding, and that Donovan’s wasn’t necessarily on board with the plan.
On Thursday, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that Donovan and the Bulls agreed on a four-year deal with $24 million. It’s not a bad haul for the coach, who just recently completed a five-year, $30 million deal he signed with the Thunder back in 2015.
Terms on Billy Donovan's Chicago Bulls head coaching deal: Four years and $24 million-plus, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 24, 2020
Now in Chicago, Donovan would be considered quite successful if he could come anywhere near replicating the success he enjoyed with the Thunder. Although the club didn’t advance as far without Kevin Durant, Donovan coached an eventual league MVP in Russell Westbrook and helped the team remain competitive in the uber-talented Western Conference.
The Bulls last qualified for the postseason in 2017 and last won a playoff series in 2015.