The Chicago Bulls season started so poorly that the team traded away Zach LaVine to the Sacramento Kings to start a rebuild in head coach Billy Donovan’s fifth season.
However, executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas recently praised Donovan for how he’s dealt with the roster in the last few seasons. Chicago is “impressed” with how Donovan adjusted the team’s offense.
The Chicago Bulls made a decision on Billy Donovan
Per a report by the Chicago Sun-Times on Thursday, the Bulls are expected to retain Donovan and Karnisovas amid a disappointing 22-33 record before the NBA All-Star break that has Chicago in 10th place in the Eastern Conference.
While Donovan’s Bulls are struggling, the accomplished college coach is in line for a major promotion in 2025.
Donovan is a finalist to be promoted to the Hall of Fame
Per the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Donovan is a finalist in the Class of 2025.
Donovan has had a storied basketball career
The History Museum and Hall of Fame is based in Springfield, Massachusetts, and is dedicated to preserving the history of basketball. The Hall of Fame honors professional and amateur athletes and coaches.
Donovan has a storied career as a point guard for Providence under head coach Joe Mullaney and then head coach Rick Pitino. Donovan was selected with the No. 68 pick in the 1987 draft by the Utah Jazz. He spent time with the New York Knicks before going into coaching, working under Pitino as an assistant at Kentucky.
Donovan is best known for making four Final Four appearances and winning two national championships (2006 and 2007) with the Florida Gators. He went 502-206 as a head coach in college in 19 years at Florida and two seasons at Marshall.
Donovan left Florida for the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2015. The Thunder made it as far as the Western Conference finals in his first season with the Thunder. Donovan has a 399-319 record as a head coach in the NBA.
