Billy Donovan’s Job Safe Despite ‘Skepticism’ in Bulls’ Locker Roonm

Bulls coach Billy Donovan doesn’t appear to be going anywhere despite his team’s current struggles, as relayed by Shams Charania and Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic.

Donovan’s job is instead safe, as he signed a contract extension during the preseason — which, oddly enough, the Bulls never announced. The agreement was revealed by Charania.

The Bulls are coming off an appearance in the playoffs, but have won just six of 20 after a 5-4 start. They are currently riding a four-game losing streak.

The same report from Charania and Mayberry suggested there has been some tension brewing between star guard Zach LaVine and the team, as we relayed here.

“In the third season of Billy Donovan’s tenure, there’s also been increased skepticism within the locker room about the head coach and the coaching staff,” Charania and Mayberry reported. “For Donovan, the challenge of optimizing DeRozan and LaVine together through a balance of execution, accountability and cooperation looms large. Donovan’s job is currently safe, however, as The Athletic reported that he signed a multiyear contract extension before the start of this season.”

Donovan, 57, is in his third season with Chicago after five years with the Thunder. He led Florida to a pair of NCAA titles before that. The Bulls are 88-95 under Donovan in the regular season.