In a surprising yet strategic move, the Chicago Bulls have decided to extend head coach Billy Donovan’s contract despite the team’s recent struggles in the NBA playoffs. According to ESPN, the Bulls’ front office has signed Donovan to a multiyear extension, marking his sixth season with the franchise. While his overall record of 195-205 may not inspire confidence, the organization is opting for stability and continuity as they look to improve their performance.
The last two seasons have been particularly challenging for the Bulls, who finished with identical records of 39-43, landing in ninth place in the Eastern Conference standings both years. Although these results were not catastrophic, they highlighted a pressing need for improvement and a more defined team identity.
Despite this, the Bulls’ management believes in the importance of maintaining a steady leadership structure. By keeping Donovan, they aim to cultivate continuity and develop a more balanced roster while nurturing younger talent. Donovan had attracted interest from the New York Knicks, but he chose to remain committed to the project he has been building in Chicago since his arrival in 2020.
Donovan has become one of the few coaches to survive the recent coaching upheaval in the NBA, joining the ranks of Mark Daigneault of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Tyronn Lue of the Los Angeles Clippers. All three coaches, hired in the summer of 2020, have surpassed 400 games coached, with only Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat and Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors having longer tenures.
During Donovan’s five seasons in Chicago, the team’s peak performance came in the 2021-2022 season, when they finished with a record of 46-36 and made their first playoff appearance in five years. However, their postseason journey was short-lived, as they were nearly swept by the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round, losing 4-1.
Injuries have plagued the franchise since that high point, particularly the prolonged absence of guard Lonzo Ball. This has contributed to a troubling trend of three consecutive losing seasons:
– 2022-2023: 40-42, eliminated in the Play-In Tournament
– 2023-2024: 39-43, again eliminated in the Play-In
– 2024-2025: 39-43, once more ousted in the Play-In, this time by the Miami Heat
The Bulls continue to rely on their core players, including DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Nikola Vucevic. Coby White has emerged as a vital contributor and is expected to build on his progress. For the upcoming season, the Bulls have added new talent, including free agent Jalen Smith and trade acquisitions Josh Giddey from the Oklahoma City Thunder, Chris Duarte from the Sacramento Kings, and Talen Horton-Tucker.
With his contract extension, Donovan’s immediate goal is to lead the Bulls back to the postseason and, once there, to push for a deeper playoff run that could reestablish Chicago as a contender in the Eastern Conference. The organization remains hopeful that with continuity and strategic roster adjustments, they can recapture their competitive edge.