CHICAGO (AP) — Billy Donovan wasn’t available on the market for lengthy – hardly a shocker given he is gained all over the place he is coached.

That he is headed to Chicago may be a shock, solely as a result of large and daring strikes have been few and much between for the crew. Then once more, these aren’t the identical outdated Bulls.

Chicago struck it large Tuesday, hiring Donovan and touchdown one of many prime candidates available on the market to guide a rebuilding crew with an overhauled entrance workplace.

The 55-year-old Donovan spent the previous 5 seasons with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder. He replaces Jim Boylen, who was fired after the Bulls completed 22-43 and have been one of many eight groups that did not qualify for the NBA’s restart at Walt Disney World.

In a press release, Donovan thanked possession and stated he is trying ahead to working with new govt vice chairman of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas.

”I am excited to accomplice with Arturas as we work collectively on behalf of this historic franchise,” he stated.

The Bulls got here into the season with their sights set on a playoff spot. They have been 11th within the Japanese Convention when play was stopped in March and determined they wanted new management.

Chicago employed Karnisovas as govt vice chairman of basketball operations in April out of Denver’s entrance workplace and shifted John Paxson into an advisory position. The Bulls additionally introduced basically supervisor Marc Eversley to exchange the fired Gar Forman, and so they let Boylen go final month.

Donovan went 243-157 as coach of the Thunder and reached the playoffs every year. He was a finalist for Coach of the 12 months this season after his crew outperformed expectations and pushed the Houston Rockets to seven video games within the first spherical of the playoffs. However together with his contract expiring, the Thunder introduced two weeks in the past he wouldn’t return, saying it was a mutual choice.

Earlier than his time with the Thunder, Donovan coached for 19 seasons on the College of Florida, successful two NCAA titles.

”We’re more than happy to welcome Billy and his household to the Chicago Bulls,” Karnisovas stated. ”The success that he has sustained over the course of his teaching profession places him on a unique degree. We really feel his skill to assist his gamers attain their potential, each individually and collectively, will mesh nicely with our roster. Whether or not as a participant or as a coach, he has gained all over the place his profession has taken him, and we hope that can proceed right here in Chicago.”

Donovan inherited All-Stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook when he was employed earlier than the 2015-16 season. Oklahoma Metropolis reached the Western Convention Finals, squandering a 3-1 lead towards Golden State.

Durant joined the Warriors after that season, shaking the Thunder and their followers. However Oklahoma Metropolis remained aggressive.

Westbrook averaged triple-doubles the following three seasons and was MVP in 2017. The Thunder traded for Paul George and Carmelo Anthony previous to the 2017-18 season in an effort to problem Golden State. However they’ve misplaced within the first spherical 4 straight instances since that run to the convention finals.

They got here into this season with decrease expectations after buying and selling Westbrook to Houston for Chris Paul and sending George to the Los Angeles Clippers for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Danilo Gallinari. However they went 44-28 and pushed the Rockets to the brink within the playoffs.

The Bulls are relying on Donovan to provide them a carry after the crew missed the postseason for the fourth time in 5 years.

On the court docket, the Bulls are led by Zach LaVine, who averaged 25.5 factors this season, and Lauri Markkanen, who took a step again. The 7-footer from Finland missed 15 video games with a pelvic harm and his scoring and rebounding numbers dropped.

Chicago hosted the All-Star recreation however did not have a participant chosen. That hammered dwelling simply how far the Bulls have fallen.

—

Extra AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports activities