OKC Thunder: Terms revealed for Billy Donovan Bulls deal

Details on former OKC Thunder head coach Billy Donovan’s new deal with the Bulls released.

The year 2020 will forever be tied to the coronavirus pandemic and how it shook the world. While sports have returned it is under a completely different circumstance as the NBA made the term bubble synonymous with basketball. Like this new NBA reality, the OKC Thunder are poised to embark on a new era of uncertainty for the franchise.

Part of that dynamic will involve a rebuilding phase that is foreign for the Thunder who’ve spent most of their 12 seasons being competitive with goals of playoff success.

The first domino that fell occurred shortly after the team left the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney World in Orlando Florida. Executive vice president and general manager Sam Presti sat down with his head coach Billy Donovan whose contract had run its course.

In Presti’s office the duo shared a few beers and elected to part ways in a mutual decision. Based on what was stated in national media articles Donovan wanted to be involved with the team who weren’t in the rebuilding phase.

Billy Donovan’s Bulls’ contract specifics offer hints why he left OKC Thunder

And while there are those who aren’t convinced the Bulls job is much of a different circumstance there are hints in the term details which offer perspective.

With the update on those terms, we’ve learned Billy Donovan will make $24 million dollars over a four-year term.

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The money isn’t necessarily the big factor. Rather it’s the four years and the opportunity to compete for the playoffs.

Reportedly Sam Presti and the OKC Thunder were willing to offer another two-year term so the Bulls offer is twice as long. It’s also a team in the easier Eastern Conference and with a new man running the front office the thinking is Arturas Karnisovas is intent on returning the Bulls back to the elite in the East and will make the roster moves necessary to make that a reality.

As for the OKC Thunder, Donovan’s record of 243-157 over the past five seasons won’t likely be matched in the next five campaigns. Several elite teams are looking for head coaches and like them, the Thunder will be interviewing to replace Donovan. There is ample time for this process to occur although the team would be well served to establish the new head coach prior to the draft, although not essential.

Thunderous Intentions will dive into coaching prospects over the next few weeks. Our initial thoughts are that the new bench boss won’t be an individual with tons of head coaching experience. Rather, it’s likely to be someone with assistant coaching experience or head coaching experience outside the association such as another college coach or international.