Report: Knicks request permission from Bulls to speak to Billy Donovan

The New York Knicks requested permission from the Chicago Bulls to interview head coach Billy Donovan and were denied, according to Bulls insider KC Johnson. The Bulls reportedly value Donovan for his coaching abilities, as well as his ability to communicate and connect with everyone in the Bulls’ locker room.

Chicago’s denial is not the first that the Knicks received in their pursuit of a new head coach. Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd, Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch, Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka and Atlanta Hawks coach Quin Snyder all received similar requests and their organizations denied them from progressing in their search.

This comes following the Knicks decision to fire head coach Tom Thibodeau after leading New York to its first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2000. Thibodeau led the Knicks to at least the Eastern Conference Semifinals in each of the last three seasons before being ousted.

Donovan has been coaching the Bulls since the 2020 season. While still considered one of the most respected coaches in the game, he’s had losing seasons in four of those five years including each of the last three. He most recently finished with consecutive 39-43 finishes. The last time a Donovan-led team reached the postseason came in 2022 when they finished the regular season with 46 wins.

He previously held the same position from 2015 with the Oklahoma City Thunder until his departure for Chicago in 2020. Donovan went 243–157 during his time in OKC, where he sent the Thunder to the postseason in every season he was with the time.

Before moving to the NBA, Donovan compiled a 467–186 record with the Florida Gators between 1996 and 2015. He made the Elite Eight or better seven times while with the program. Florida is one of eight to have won consecutive national championships in men’s college basketball, which were both led under Donovan’s guidance.

Now, the Knicks will have to hit the drawing board once again in order to find a new head coach. With a bevy of organizations already denying New York to contact their respective coaches, it may be time for them to think outside of the box.

One coach that has been rumored as a potential candidate for the position is former Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone, who was fired before the end of the regular season. He would bring a championship pedigree to New York if they were to nab him, but that remains to be seen.