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Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan reveals true feelings on wanting out of rebuild

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Feb 4, 2025 8:03 PM ET

The Chicago Bulls officially started giving up on their season on Sunday night when they sent Zach LaVine to the Sacramento Kings as part of a three-way trade. The Bulls lost their best offensive piece and a cornerstone of the team since 2017.

The Bulls appear ready to dismantle more of the roster before Thursday’s trade deadline. The team needs to continue to lose games to protect their first-round pick.

Chicago’s strategy to rebuild made some wonder what the future status of head coach Billy Donovan will be. Donovan left his job with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2020 to join the Bulls.

Reports surfaced that Donovan left OKC because he didn’t want to be a part of their rebuild. (The Thunder currently have the Western Conference’s best record.)

Bill Donovan explains his thoughts on a rebuild

Per Julia Poe of the Chicago Tribune, Donovan said he’s not afraid of the Bulls’ plans to rebuild. He dismissed the idea that he “had no interest” in being part of a rebuilding team.

Via Poe:

“Billy Donovan says he is not deterred by coaching a rebuild in Chicago: “There was maybe a lot of things said or put out there publicly that I had no interest in a rebuild — that’s not true. I never said that. Never felt like that. … I want to be part of building something.”

Billy Donovan says he is not deterred by coaching a rebuild in Chicago: “There was maybe a lot of things said or put out there publicly that I had no interest in a rebuild — that’s not true. I never said that. Never felt like that. … I want to be part of building something.”

— Julia Poe (@byjuliapoe) February 4, 2025

The Chicago Bulls will have a decision to make on Donovan

Donovan looked like he was the right hire for the Bulls up until Lonzo Ball’s injury. Frankly, that’s when Chicago’s championship dreams fell apart.

Donovan is 368-177 during his five seasons with Chicago. He hasn’t had a winning campaign since 2021-22. It remains to be seen if the Bulls trust Donovan as the architect for the next team.

Patience on both sides will be required.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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