After five seasons, Thunder and coach Billy Donovan mutually parted ways.
Coach Billy Donovan of the Oklahoma City Thunder has confirmed that he will not be rejoining the team for the upcoming season.
In a statement, the team claimed that both parties had decided to part ways.
At season’s end, Donovan’s contract expired, and the teams chose not to pursue an extension.
“We intended to have a meeting at the conclusion of the season to talk about the best course of action for both of us,” general manager and executive vice president of the Thunder Sam Presti said in a statement.
Following those conversations, it became clear that we were unable to give him the kind of certainty he rightfully demands at this point in his career regarding the team’s future trajectory over the course of the next few seasons.
As a result, we wrap up this chapter and remember with gratitude everything he has contributed to the group, company, and neighborhood. Billy will remain a part of the Thunder family forever.”
Sources regarded the talks between Donovan and OKC management as reasonable and cooperative.
“We shall always hold a particular place for this. In a statement, Donovan stated, “I will always have the utmost respect for this organization, and I hope the Thunder and their supporters have the success they deserve.
According to people close to the situation, it was difficult for the two parties to figure out how to move forward together given Oklahoma City’s actual move toward reconstruction.
After the Thunder’s season came to an end in a Game 7 loss to the Houston Rockets in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs, Donovan’s contract expired.
It is unclear how long the Thunder will stick with their core group of veterans before pivoting to a Western Conference playoff run given the pandemic’s impact on league income.
Donovan will be a valuable asset in the NBA when it opens up and might be considered for the openings in Indiana, New Orleans, and Philadelphia.
Rumor has it that Donovan is being considered by the Bulls for the head coaching role. Chicago is interviewing a number of individuals in the first round at this time.
Donovan left his position as head coach of the University of Florida to sign a five-year contract with the Thunder. A team option was part of his contract, which Oklahoma City exercised early in the 2018–19 campaign.
Donovan and Milwaukee’s Mike Budenholzer shared the 2019–20 National Basketball Coaches Association’s Coach of the Year award. The NBA coaches cast their votes for the winner.
In his first season with Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant, Donovan made it to the Western Conference finals and made it to the playoffs four more times. Donovan’s record as the Thunder’s head coach was 243-157 (.608).
With a youthful core of players that includes point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, rookie guard Lu Dort, and forward Damian Bazley, the Thunder are well-suited to carry out a rebuild.
In the next seven NBA drafts, the Thunder will have 13 first-round picks and three sets of swap rights, thanks to the trades that sent Paul George to the Clippers and Westbrook to the Rockets.
