Billy Donovan walked away from the Chicago Bulls after six seasons, and the coaching market is already taking notice. Their coaching job is not done and with several jobs open across the league, the next few weeks could be very interesting.
According to ESPN senior NBA insider Shams Charania, speaking on 104.3 The Score's Mulally & Hoff Show, Donovan is one of the most respected free agent coaches available right now, and his name will soon appear in searches.
"Definitely very respected. I mean, his name is going to be included in these job searches that may come up based on the playoffs, exits and different things that happen over the next few weeks around the league."
It is this trace of past opportunities that makes his situation noteworthy now.
Billy Donovan turned down Knicks and UNC before leaving Bulls
Charania revealed that Donovan had had genuine conversations about the New York Knicks head coaching job the previous summer, and had also shown serious interest from North Carolina during the season. Both times he stayed there.
"He could have gotten the New York Knicks job last summer. And his conversations with Michael and Jerry Reinsdorf basically led him to decide to stay, honor his commitment, honor his contract, and stick with it. And in the season, he could have gotten the UNC job. But he never committed with UNC, because the program made multiple back-channel attempts for him."
Two different occasions. Two different moments. And both times Donovan chose to honor what he signed up for in Chicago, with the Bulls clearly headed toward a rebuild.
"So he potentially had multiple opportunities to get out of his contract with the Bulls. But he decided to continue. And so I think we'll see what jobs open up."
That's just who he is. He is not a person who chases the exit when things get uncomfortable. He waited for the right moment, and now that he's free, teams around the league will be lining up.
When asked specifically what jobs he considered realistically suitable, Charania was measured. The three current openings, Chicago, Milwaukee and New Orleans, are not where he sees Donovan landing. More interesting scenarios come later.
"Right now, it's Chicago, it's Milwaukee, it's New Orleans. I don't see him getting into these jobs. But we'll see what happens around the league, like what happens in New York, what happens in Orlando."
New York and Orlando are two very different situations. The Knicks are in the midst of a playoff race with Mike Brown on the hot seat. The Magic have Jamahl Mosley, but his future isn't guaranteed either. Both are worth watching as the playoffs progress.
And through it all, Charania was clear about one thing. Donovan didn't leave Chicago because something better was already waiting.
"Many other circumstances could arise this year. So I don't think he's made a decision, or at least I know he hasn't already made a decision based on the job he's been offered."
Donovan spent five seasons in Oklahoma City, making the playoffs every year, winning two national championships at Florida and last September he was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Wherever he lands, the job will be better for him.
