Billy Donovan has signed a new multi-year deal to continue as the Chicago Bulls head coach. Donovan is in the early stages of overseeing a roster rebuild in the Windy City.
ESPN’s Shams Charania broke the news on Sunday, July 27.
“Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan has signed a multiyear contract extension with the franchise, sources tell ESPN,” Charania posted on X. “Donovan is viewed as a leader within the Bulls organization, and will enter his sixth season in Chicago in 2025-26 with 800 NBA games coached over his career.”
Charania continued.
“The Bulls and Billy Donovan started negotiations at the end of last season and continued conversations through this week amid offseason planning, a brief pursuit of Donovan by the New York Knicks, and the draft, free agency and summer league.”
Throughout his NBA career, Donovan has amassed 800 regular-season games as a head coach, winning 438 and losing 362. He joined the Bulls in 2020 and has overseen some difficult periods with the franchise, after a push to win a championship left the team mired in purgatory.
Donovan has proven himself to be one of the more trusted head coaches in the NBA. By sticking with him, the Bulls are doubling down on the current processes in place to help get the team back near the top of the Eastern Conference.
Bulls Josh Giddey Negotiations Are Taking Time
While Donovan has signed on the dotted line and committed his future to the franchise, Josh Giddey has chosen to play hardball. According to NBA Insider Jake Fischer, Chicago and Giddey remain $10 million apart in terms of his next contract. The two sides will expect negotiations to drag on.
“We’re almost in August, but there’s really no rush on any of these teams or players’ side of things if you’re not moving these conversations closer to where you want to be,” Fischer said. “The last we reported on The Stein Line was that Josh Giddey’s side was still more anchored around $30 million AAV, and Chicago was more anchored around 20.”
Fischer continued.
“So, why not take all the time you need to get those ballparks or those field goal posts closer? I don’t really see a conclusion coming anytime soon. Also, I do not anticipate a [sign-and-trade] happening. And, I do think Josh Giddey is going to be going back to Chicago no matter what, but figuring out those terms will be tricky.”
Giddey could become a long-term cornerstone for the Bulls. However, he can’t begin planning for his future with the franchise until he makes a commitment. Chicago’s fanbase will undoubtedly be hoping the two sides reach an agreement in the coming weeks.
Bulls Want to Keep Giddey
During a recent conversation with Keith Smith of Spotrac, an anonymous front office executive revealed the team’s desire to get an agreement with Giddey over the line.
“We want to get a deal done with Josh,” The executive said. “He’s as important of a player as we have. We see him as a foundational player for us. I hope we can find a deal that makes sense for us and him and that we’ll be together for a long time.”
The lack of interest in his services from elsewhere in the league is a good sign. Still, both parties must be willing to find a middle ground. Otherwise, the current stalemate could grind things to a halt over the summer.
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