The Bulls are sticking with Billy Donovan despite playoff struggles, signing him to a multi-year extension over the weekend.
For the second straight year, Chicago finished with a 39-43 record. It’s also the third consecutive season they’ve been eliminated in the play-in tournament.
Despite these disappointments, the organization clearly believes Donovan is the right man for the job. ESPN’s Shams Charania broke the news that the Bulls have committed to their head coach with a multi-year deal, though specific terms haven’t been released yet.
The 2025-26 season will mark Donovan’s sixth year on Chicago’s sideline.
Charania noted that Donovan is “viewed as a leader within the Bulls organization” and will hit the milestone of 800 NBA games coached during his next campaign.
Donovan’s journey to Chicago began after he and the Oklahoma City Thunder parted ways following the 2019-20 season. He had led OKC to five straight playoff appearances during his tenure there.
His Bulls experience hasn’t been quite as successful. In five years with Chicago, Donovan’s teams have reached the actual playoffs just once.
The Bulls have managed only one winning season under his leadership, with Donovan holding a 195-205 overall record with the franchise.
Still, Chicago’s front office seems convinced they have the right coach. They even blocked the New York Knicks from interviewing Donovan for their head coaching vacancy earlier this offseason.
The timing is interesting. Donovan had just one year left on his previous contract before this extension.
What’s really puzzling is that Chicago hasn’t made any major roster moves this summer. The team that will take the floor next season looks remarkably similar to the one that fell short last year.
There is some reason for optimism, though. The Bulls finished the 2024-25 regular season on a strong note, going 15-5 down the stretch. During that run, Coby White and Josh Giddey were playing at their highest levels.
Can the 60-year-old Donovan finally help this group break through? After three straight play-in tournament exits, Bulls fans are certainly hoping this extension pays off with better results.
