Billy Donovan Emerges as Potential Coaching Option Depending on Contenders’ Playoff Outcomes

Billy Donovan (Image Credits: Imagn)

Billy Donovan Emerges as Potential Coaching Option Depending on Contenders’ Playoff Outcomes

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports | By Kenny Nosay | Last updated Apr 23, 2026 2:19 AM ET

Just last week, Billy Donovan’s tenure as the head coach for the Chicago Bulls looked secure. He was reportedly helping the team find a new lead executive. Fast forward to today, and he’s out of an NBA job.

He stepped down as the Bulls coach on April 21. He spent six seasons with the team, compiling a 226-256 record. The veteran tactician’s tenure in Chicago was mostly subpar, though. He guided them in three play-ins and only made the postseason once. However, it looks like he’s going to become a hot commodity now that he’s a free agent head coach heading into the offseason.

“The Knicks and Magic could be potential destinations for Billy Donovan based off how they do in the playoffs,” Evan Sidery wrote on X via a report from Shams Charania.

The Knicks and Magic could be potential destinations for Billy Donovan based off how they do in the playoffs, per @ShamsCharania.

Orlando has long been linked to Donovan, but New York would be eye-opening after hiring Mike Brown.

New York pursued Donovan before hiring Brown. pic.twitter.com/paVdbPE9j8
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) April 22, 2026

“Orlando has long been linked to Donovan, but New York would be eye-opening after hiring Mike Brown. New York pursued Donovan before hiring Brown,” Sidery added.

Of the two teams, it looks like the Orlando Magic has the chance to secure Donovan’s services in the offseason – should they go that route. There’s a rift between Jamahl Mosley and Paolo Banchero, which, unfortunately, has now become public.

Billy Donovan Might Get Some Interest at the College Level

With Mike Malone, the former head coach of the Denver Nuggets, getting hired by North Carolina, is there a chance for Donovan to follow that path as well? It’s not a far-fetched idea, though. Before coming to the NBA, Billy Donovan coached at the college level from 1989 to 2015.

Billy Donovan (Image Credits: Imagn)

He led the Florida Gators – a team loaded with future NBA stars – in back-to-back National Championships in 2006 and 2007. He was one of the NCAA’s most decorated coaches before taking his talents to the NBA. His first tenure in the league was with OKC in 2015.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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