The NBA offseason tends to be a player-centric affair, but coaches have also had their time in the sun. Much of the 2025 head coaching developments happened during the 2024-2025 regular season and in the playoffs, with only the New York Knicks hiring Mike Brown during the offseason. However, another franchise just took another coach off the board. 

Billy Donovan’s current contract was set to expire after next season, but in the spirit of stability, he will be coaching the Chicago Bulls for the foreseeable future. Bulls management did not want to look far and wide and even denied the New York Knicks the chance to speak with Donovan. 

But what has Donovan done to merit this extension? 

Chicago has been in the last three editions of the Play-In Tournament, but they have failed to advance beyond that. The two-time NCAA national champion did bring the Bulls to the first round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs where they lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in five games. Donovan’s teams have teetered between being above and below .500 and while that may not cut it for other franchises, he has actually done a remarkable job considering the revolving door of a roster he has had to work with in Chicago during the last few trade deadlines. 

The wins and losses only tell a part of the story as Donovan has actually put together a solid roster last season. Despite finishing two games below .500 in 2024-2025, the Bulls were actually in the top five in rebounds per game (45.9), assists per game (29.1), and free throw percentage (80.9 percent). 

Through the ups and downs, Chicago has been able to cultivate their young talent, particularly Matas Buzelis. Buzelis has thrived under the tutelage of Donovan, especially in the second half of last season. The opportunities that opened up for him after the trade deadline, coupled with the familiarity he had with each passing game allowed him to show the rest of the NBA why he was seen as one of the top picks in the league. In the summer league, he’s shown glimpses of his growth and a breakout year under Donovan beckons. 

On the whole, the Bulls have potential both at a personnel and team level. Buzelis should continue to grow under Donovan’s tutelage and the same can be said for incoming rookie Noa Essengue and fan favorite Yuki Kawamura. All but four players have spent time with Chicago so there’s at least some familiarity going forward. 

Familiarity and stability are thus the pillars with which Billy Donovan runs the Chicago Bulls, but can he lead them past the state of mediocrity they are currently in? That is a question he must answer now that the Bulls have given him a fresh mandate. Donovan has the tools at his disposal to succeed and while his teams have shown the capability to compete, his legacy will truly be judged by the wins that matter.