Oklahoma City Thunder has decided to part ways with Billy Donovan. Donavan has been with the team since 2015, making it to the NBA playoffs each and every single year.
Oklahoma City Thunder Part Ways with Billy Donovan
After five years with the Thunder, Donovan is no longer head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder. This is according to Adrian Wojnarowski, an ESPN Senior NBA insider said this:
ESPN Sources: Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan won’t be returning to the Thunder next season. Donovan’s contract expired at season’s end and the sides have decided against pursuing an extension.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 9, 2020
At the surface, this decision does not make any sense. Donovan had 243 wins and 157 losses with the Thunder. Also, in Donovan’s first season as a head coach, the team made the NBA Western Conference Finals. They would lose the hard-fought series in seven games to the up and coming Golden State Warriors.
Lastly, he won the 2020 NBCA Co-Coaches of Year Award along with Mike Budenholzer of the Milwaukee Bucks according to Demetrius Harvey of Sports Illustrated. This was despite losing both Paul George and Russell Westbrook before the start of the 2019-20 NBA season.
However, it is also true that Donovan has not taken the team past the first round since the 2016 NBA playoffs. Furthermore, this decision was apparently made not just by Thunder management but also by Donovan himself.
Discussions between OKC management and Donovan were described as "collaborative" and "realistic." Donovan will become a significant coaching candidate in the NBA marketplace. https://t.co/Iq68Bdi7jr
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 9, 2020
Potential Reasons for the Oklahoma City Thunder Decision
The Oklahoma City Thunder has a very bright future. However, it is also true that they are going into a rebuild. Furthermore, Chris Paul might want to play for a contender. This is what Paul said according to Eric Gee of Sports Illustrated:
“I don’t know what the future holds, but what I can say is that this team, I think I made some connections and bonds with these guys that will last a lifetime.”
Even though Paul is appreciative of his time with the Thunder, he is unsure what the future lies for him in a Thunders uniform. Furthermore, this move to a rebuild mode seems to be connected to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With reduced league revenues amid pandemic, there remains uncertainty on how long the Thunder might continue with key veterans in place before changing course on playoff contention. The timetable on so many plans in the NBA remain fuzzy. This was an extremely amicable parting. https://t.co/jUHQ2kiuEo
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 9, 2020
The Future for Billy Donovan
Donovan and his future in NBA coaching are bright. According to Wojnarowski, the Chicago Bulls are showing interest in Donovan.
The Chicago Bulls are expected to have an interest in considering Donovan for the franchise’s head coaching job, sources tell ESPN. The Bulls are just completing a first-round of interviews with several candidates. https://t.co/jUHQ2kiuEo
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 9, 2020
There is no doubt there will be more teams interested in Donovan’s services. He is an excellent coach who will find a head coaching job with an NBA team sooner rather than later.
In regards to the Thunder, they have a bright future with young players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luguentz Dort. They also have lots of drafts picks coming within the next six years. The future is bright for the Thunder.
OKC 1sts:
2020 Own (1-20)
2020 DEN (11-30)
2021 Own (HOU 5-30 swap right)
2021 MIA (HOU 5-30 swap right)
2022 Own (1-14)
2022 LAC
2023 Own (LAC swap right)
2023 MIA (15-30)
2024 Own
2024 LAC
2024 HOU (5-30)
2025 Own (LAC and HOU 21-30 swap right)
2026 Own
2026 LAC
2026 HOU (5-30)— Albert Nahmad (@AlbertNahmad) July 12, 2019
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