of chicago bulls Signed contract extension with head coach Billy Donovan before season start, league sources say athletic on tuesday. Here’s what you should know:
- Donovan, who led the Bulls to the playoffs for the first time in four years last season, has two years left on his original four-year deal and is currently on a few more years.
- A new contract was signed before the season, according to sources.
- The Bulls have an 86-88 record under Donovan.
inside story
In 2020, Donovan was hired by Arturas Carnisovas, the Bulls’ executive vice president of basketball operations. oklahoma city thunder.
In his first season with the Bulls in 2020-21, Donovan led Chicago to a nine-win improvement. The team went 46-36 in Donovan’s second season, up 15 from his debut season. Chicago made the playoffs in his 2021-22 season, ending a four-year postseason drought.
The Bulls led the Eastern Conference for most of the first half of last season, but the team Lonzo Ball‘s knee injury. From Day One through New Year’s Day, the Bulls ranked 5th on offense and 10th on defense. The Bulls ended last season with the sixth seed, but lost in the first round. milwaukee in 5 games.
The Bulls are off to a 9-11 start to the season. bostonMilwaukee, Utah.
Ball underwent a second surgery on his left knee at the end of September and is believed to be well on his way to rehab. Ball and the franchise hoped for his return at some point after the calendar turned to 2023, sources said.
Donovan, 57, went 243-157 in five seasons as Thunder head coach (2015-20), reaching the Western Conference Finals in his first year in Oklahoma City. Donovan served as his two-time national championship head coach at the University of Florida.
Why Chicago extended Donovan
Donovan successfully completed the first phase of his mission to restore order within the Bulls and restore the organization to good standing. He was rewarded for doing so.
A 15-win improvement last season and subsequent playoff appearances clearly meant a lot to management. Donovan’s extension followed that success. But his first 20 games of the season have raised questions about how far Donovan can lead the Bulls. – mayberry
what happens next
News of Donovan’s contract extension, with the Bulls currently circulating with a 9-11 record, makes it look like Chicago paid for the past or stable production rather than pursuing potentially greater possibilities. maybe. This puts Donovan head-on to come up with a better game plan and roll out a more effective lineup.
Rarely NBA Coach lasts more than 5 seasons. However, the Bulls only won one playoff win during their franchise tenure, doubling down on Donovan.
Donovan has a lot to prove along with the current Bulls roster. Both have impenetrable ceilings.Donovan has not led a team beyond the first round since Kevin Durant Play in Oklahoma City. Barack Obama was president the last time the Bulls made it through the first round.
Now Bulls and Donovan are adamant about navigating that journey together. mayberry
(Photo: Kamil Kurzaczynski/USA Today)
