The Chicago Bulls have recruited previous Oklahoma City Thunder lead trainer Billy Donovan as their new lead trainer, the group reported Tuesday.
Arturas Karnisovas, the Bulls’ chief VP of ball activities, forcefully sought after Donovan after the mentor left the Oklahoma City Thunder, sources stated, selling Donovan on an association and vision for a skilled youthful program and an opportunity to lead one of the group’s stay establishments.
In an official articulation, Donovan expressed gratitude toward the group’s possession “for the opportunity to coach the Chicago Bulls” and said he is anticipating working with Karnisovas.
“I’m excited to partner with Arturas as we work together on behalf of this historic franchise,” he said.
Donovan’s agent, Oliver Winterbone of Wasserman Media Group, settled the arrangement with Chicago authorities on Tuesday, sources said.
Karnisovas and senior supervisor Marc Eversley trusted Donovan was the best mentor accessible and that his history in Oklahoma City – remembering five straight outings to the end of the season games for the Western Conference – made him a solid match for the Bulls.
“We are very pleased to welcome Billy and his family to the Chicago Bulls,” Karnisovas said. “The success that he has sustained over the course of his coaching career puts him on a different level. We feel his ability to help his players reach their potential, both individually and collectively, will mesh well with our roster. Whether as a player or as a coach, he has won everywhere his career has taken him, and we hope that will continue here in Chicago.”
Donovan, 55, was the National Basketball Coaches Association’s co-Coach of the Year with the Milwaukee Bucks’ Mike Budenholzer for 2019-20. The NBA’s mentors vote on the honor.
Karnisovas excused previous mentor Jim Boylen in May and conversed with various up-and-comers before stretching out the proposal to Donovan.
In his first season with Oklahoma City, Donovan progressed toward the West finals with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, and he arrived at the end of the season games in every one of the following four missions. Donovan was 243-157 (.608) as the OKC mentor. He marked a five-year manage the Thunder after showing up from the University of Florida, where he won two public titles.
The Bulls are relying on Donovan to give them a lift after the group missed the postseason for the fourth time in five years.
On the court, the Bulls are driven by Zach LaVine, who found the middle value of 25.5 focuses this season, and Lauri Markkanen, who made a stride back. The 7-footer from Finland missed 15 games with a pelvic physical issue, and his scoring and bouncing back numbers dropped.
