Why Billy Donovan stepping down as Bulls’ coach is a blessing in disguise

After six seasons as head coach of the Chicago Bulls, Billy Donovan saw the writing on the wall. As a result of six seasons chock-full of inconsistency and in need of a fresh start, he made the conscious choice to step away.

This bombshell announcement came weeks after the Bulls fired the VP Arturas Karnisovas and GM Marc Eversley. A strong signal that the Bulls are looking to start from scratch.

Donovan’s last season concluded as most had anticipated. They finished with a 31-51 record and once again missed the playoffs. This season was marred by injuries, poor performance, and significant roster turnover, sending notable Donovan proteges to other, more contending teams. Coby White to the Charlotte Hornets and Ayo Dosunmu to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

In the end, Donovan walks away with the third-longest tenure as Chicago head coach, per K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Sports Network. Along the way, he led the Bulls to one playoff appearance in 2022, when they lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round.

Now with two first-round draft picks on the horizon, thanks to the Portland Trail Blazers winning their Play-In game, the possibilities are there. Certainly, whoever the Bulls decide to take over as GM will look for a coach that fits with their philosophy.

Fingers crossed that the new front office personnel have the mindset of building for the long haul rather than settling for the short term while going absolutely nowhere.

As a result, the Bulls should feel even more optimistic for the future than ever before. And they should thank Donovan in the process.

Billy Donovan did the Bulls a huge favor.

Before Donovan stepped down on good terms, Bulls owner Michael Reinsdorf was apparently trying his hardest to keep Donovan on board. The Reinsdorf ownership appears stuck and complacent rather than innovative and competitive.

But given that Donovan is a man of a brilliant basketball mind, as evidenced by his success in the college game and his development of players, he knew better.

Now the Bulls can truly start from scratch. Luckily, there are plenty of fresh fish in the sea to reel in.

According to Eamon Cassels of Yahoo Sports/FanSided, there are at least four potential candidates the Bulls could look at. Each of whom has a vast array of coaching experience, including development, learning from the best, and winning.

They are Taylor Jenkins, Sam Cassell, Michael Malone, and Johnnie Bryant.

Jenkins was the guy who helped turn the Memphis Grizzlies into a playoff-worthy team by emphasizing developing young talent.  Former player Sam Cassell has been toiling through the league as an assistant coach. Currently, he is an assistant to Joe Mazzulla of the Boston Celtics, one of the league’s best teams.

Bryant has a background as an assistant coach and in development with the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks. He was in the running for the Cavs’ and the Phoenix Suns’ head coaching jobs. Plus, he was an associate coach under Tom Thidebeau in New York.

Thidebeadu’s record in Chicago speaks for itself.

Then, there is Michael Malone, who led the Denver Nuggets from a 30-win season to an NBA championship in 2023. Ironically, it was Artras Karniovas who hired Malone when he was in Denver.

Other names will surely be floated around. Among them is former Bulls and Warriors coach Steve Kerr, though that would be unlikely given his age (60) and likely desire to step away after a successful career.

Regardless of who’s next, the Bulls have the chance of a lifetime. Their moment has arrived, and they must take full advantage of it. If they play their cards right, they can be back on track.

And if/when that happens, they will thank Billy Donovan.

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