Billy Donovan, Bulls reportedly working on contract extension

The Bulls are working to reach an agreement on an extension with head coach Billy Donovan, reports Marc Stein for The Stein Line (via X). This comes on the heels of the Bulls declining the Knicks’ request to interview Donovan in their head coaching search.

Donovan has been Chicago’s head coach for the past five seasons, during which time he has amassed a record of 195 wins and 205 losses. The team went to the 2022 playoffs under Donovan, losing in five games to the Bucks.

After trading Alex Caruso and Zach LaVine last year, the Bulls are attempting to rebuild on the fly, building around a younger roster while trying to stay competitive. Donovan appears to be the coach the Bulls are counting on to help forge the identity of the new-look Bulls as they look to keep adding to their core of Matas Buzelis, Coby White, and likely Josh Giddey, whose restricted free agency represents the biggest decisions the team has to make this summer.

Chicago will also have to decide how Nikola Vucevic fits into its long-term plans. The veteran center has one year left on his deal and is coming off an excellent offensive season, which could make him a trade candidate.