Former Thunder coach Billy Donovan has been hired as the new head coach of the Chicago Bulls, the Bulls announced Tuesday.
Donovan and the Thunder mutually agreed to part ways earlier this month. The Thunder couldn't promise Donovan what the roster will look like as the franchise enters a rebuilding process either next season or the season after.
While an unpredictable future awaits in Oklahoma City, Donovan will inherit a Chicago squad that is nearing the completion of its rebuild.
The Bulls roster features 25-year-old guard Zach LaVine, 23-year-old forward Lauri Markkanen, 21-year-old center Wendell Carter Jr. and 20-year-old point guard Coby White.
Carter and White were top-10 picks in the last two NBA drafts, and their development over the next few seasons will determine if the Bulls become realistic contenders in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls also own the No. 4 pick in the upcoming draft.
"We are very pleased to welcome Billy and his family to the Chicago Bulls," executive vice president Arturas Karnisovas said in a statement. "The success that he has sustained over the course of his coaching career puts him on a different level. We feel his ability to help his players reach their potential, both individually and collectively, will mesh well with our roster. Whether as a player or as a coach, he has won everywhere his career has taken him, and we hope that will continue here in Chicago."
The Bulls fired former coach Jim Boylen after a 22-43 season. Chicago has missed the playoffs four of the last five seasons.
Donovan, 55, went 243-157 in five seasons as Thunder coach. He led the Thunder to the playoffs every year, with one Western Conference Finals appearance and four first-round exits.
The Thunder is still looking for its next coach. There are also head coaching vacancies in Houston, Indiana, New Orleans and Philadelphia.
<figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-bbbb50c48142305feca6759bed54836d.jpg" alt="Photo - Coach Billy Donovan walks on the court during a timeout in an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Chicago Bulls at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Monday, Dec. 16, 2019. [Nate Billings/The Oklahoman]" title="Coach Billy Donovan walks on the court during a timeout in an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Chicago Bulls at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Monday, Dec. 16, 2019. [Nate Billings/The Oklahoman]"><figcaption>Coach Billy Donovan walks on the court during a timeout in an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Chicago Bulls at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Monday, Dec. 16, 2019. [Nate Billings/The Oklahoman]</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-0d061f42a3c544232ec7ff080e1eba3c.jpg" alt="Photo - Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan talks with Oklahoma City's Steven Adams (12) during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020. San Antonio won 114-106. [Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman]
" title="Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan talks with Oklahoma City's Steven Adams (12) during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020. San Antonio won 114-106. [Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman]
"><figcaption>Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan talks with Oklahoma City's Steven Adams (12) during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020. San Antonio won 114-106. [Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman]
</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-342e8cd6bd372f6e46e4aa3532353587.jpg" alt="Photo - Oklahoma City's Billy Donovan reacts during NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Detroit Pistons at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, Feb. 7, 2020. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]
" title="Oklahoma City's Billy Donovan reacts during NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Detroit Pistons at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, Feb. 7, 2020. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]
"><figcaption>Oklahoma City's Billy Donovan reacts during NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Detroit Pistons at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, Feb. 7, 2020. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]
</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-30b38e05ccbe0b62f7a3f89cd09ea5ca.jpg" alt="Photo - Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan talks with the team during a timeout in an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Miami Heat at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, Jan. 17, 2020. Oklahoma State lost 76-64. Oklahoma City lost 115-108. [Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman]
" title="Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan talks with the team during a timeout in an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Miami Heat at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, Jan. 17, 2020. Oklahoma State lost 76-64. Oklahoma City lost 115-108. [Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman]
"><figcaption>Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan talks with the team during a timeout in an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Miami Heat at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, Jan. 17, 2020. Oklahoma State lost 76-64. Oklahoma City lost 115-108. [Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman]
</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-a020e567461675dcf956ca29e2441214.jpg" alt="Photo - Oklahoma City's Steven Adams talks with coach Billy Donovan during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020. [Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman]
" title="Oklahoma City's Steven Adams talks with coach Billy Donovan during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020. [Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman]
"><figcaption>Oklahoma City's Steven Adams talks with coach Billy Donovan during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020. [Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman]
</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-f0ff58f5ab04c799d81b62287376ff90.jpg" alt="Photo - Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan speaks with Nerlens Noel, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chris Paul during a timeout in an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New Orleans Pelicans at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. Oklahoma City won 115-104. [Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman]
" title="Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan speaks with Nerlens Noel, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chris Paul during a timeout in an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New Orleans Pelicans at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. Oklahoma City won 115-104. [Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman]
"><figcaption>Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan speaks with Nerlens Noel, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chris Paul during a timeout in an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New Orleans Pelicans at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. Oklahoma City won 115-104. [Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman]
</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-03074bf588e01371e177e950ae03e741.jpg" alt="Photo - Oklahoma City's Chris Paul (3) talks with coach Billy Donovan during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New Orleans Pelicans at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. Oklahoma City won 115-104. [Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman]
" title="Oklahoma City's Chris Paul (3) talks with coach Billy Donovan during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New Orleans Pelicans at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. Oklahoma City won 115-104. [Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman]
"><figcaption>Oklahoma City's Chris Paul (3) talks with coach Billy Donovan during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New Orleans Pelicans at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. Oklahoma City won 115-104. [Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman]
</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-66a5561686ef538eabb700df7a19f4d2.jpg" alt="Photo - Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan talks with Oklahoma City's Steven Adams (12) an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Philadelphia 76ers at Chesapeake Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, Nov. 15, 2019. Oklahoma City won 127-119. [Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman]
" title="Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan talks with Oklahoma City's Steven Adams (12) an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Philadelphia 76ers at Chesapeake Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, Nov. 15, 2019. Oklahoma City won 127-119. [Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman]
"><figcaption>Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan talks with Oklahoma City's Steven Adams (12) an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Philadelphia 76ers at Chesapeake Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, Nov. 15, 2019. Oklahoma City won 127-119. [Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman]
</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-7bf337ecdba8091e81506d4011cc1053.jpg" alt="Photo - Oklahoma City head coach Billy Donovan, right, talks to official James Capers in the fourth quarter during an NBA basketball game between the Detroit Pistons and the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, April 5, 2019. Oklahoma City won 123-110. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman" title="Oklahoma City head coach Billy Donovan, right, talks to official James Capers in the fourth quarter during an NBA basketball game between the Detroit Pistons and the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, April 5, 2019. Oklahoma City won 123-110. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman"><figcaption>Oklahoma City head coach Billy Donovan, right, talks to official James Capers in the fourth quarter during an NBA basketball game between the Detroit Pistons and the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, April 5, 2019. Oklahoma City won 123-110. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-0aba28358abcbdaac1bd9432915fcdac.jpg" alt="Photo - Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan talks with Steven Adams (12) and Paul George (13) during Game 3 in the first round of the NBA playoffs between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, April 19, 2019. Oklahoma City won 120-108. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman" title="Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan talks with Steven Adams (12) and Paul George (13) during Game 3 in the first round of the NBA playoffs between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, April 19, 2019. Oklahoma City won 120-108. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman"><figcaption>Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan talks with Steven Adams (12) and Paul George (13) during Game 3 in the first round of the NBA playoffs between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, April 19, 2019. Oklahoma City won 120-108. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-3aff0392cc406a9ba5e2a6526e95493f.jpg" alt="Photo - Oklahoma City head coach Billy Donovan walks off the court with Steven Adams after a scuffle during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets at the Chesapeake Energy Arena, Tuesday, April 9, 2019. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
" title="Oklahoma City head coach Billy Donovan walks off the court with Steven Adams after a scuffle during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets at the Chesapeake Energy Arena, Tuesday, April 9, 2019. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
"><figcaption>Oklahoma City head coach Billy Donovan walks off the court with Steven Adams after a scuffle during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets at the Chesapeake Energy Arena, Tuesday, April 9, 2019. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-96eedcbf6b3ade8f363d7055e37c1629.jpg" alt="Photo - Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan talks with Russell Westbrook (0) during Game 3 in the first round of the NBA playoffs between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, April 19, 2019. Oklahoma City won 120-108. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman" title="Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan talks with Russell Westbrook (0) during Game 3 in the first round of the NBA playoffs between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, April 19, 2019. Oklahoma City won 120-108. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman"><figcaption>Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan talks with Russell Westbrook (0) during Game 3 in the first round of the NBA playoffs between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, April 19, 2019. Oklahoma City won 120-108. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-2f3187a75e60191163bdc6bc4625695a.jpg" alt="Photo - Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan walks off the court after an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Miami Heat at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Monday, March 18, 2019. Miami won 116-107. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman" title="Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan walks off the court after an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Miami Heat at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Monday, March 18, 2019. Miami won 116-107. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman"><figcaption>Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan walks off the court after an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Miami Heat at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Monday, March 18, 2019. Miami won 116-107. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-a47d1622f9bfddc290c51f868faffa7d.jpg" alt="Photo - Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan walks back towards the bench during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Sacramento Kings at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Sacramento won 119-116. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman" title="Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan walks back towards the bench during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Sacramento Kings at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Sacramento won 119-116. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman"><figcaption>Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan walks back towards the bench during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Sacramento Kings at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Sacramento won 119-116. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-4f1dd597b35669395247ead19cb827ef.jpg" alt="Photo - Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan shouts during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Sacramento Kings at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman" title="Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan shouts during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Sacramento Kings at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman"><figcaption>Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan shouts during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Sacramento Kings at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-eb10d35be6c11053b842510ff1ab8be6.jpg" alt="Photo - Oklahoma City head coach Billy Donovan reacts to a call during the NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Chesapeake Energy Arena, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman" title="Oklahoma City head coach Billy Donovan reacts to a call during the NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Chesapeake Energy Arena, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman"><figcaption>Oklahoma City head coach Billy Donovan reacts to a call during the NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Chesapeake Energy Arena, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-04dcf8332bd774f39291d97e1f19b5c8.jpg" alt="Photo - Oklahoma City head coach Billy Donovan reacts to a call during the NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Chesapeake Energy Arena, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman" title="Oklahoma City head coach Billy Donovan reacts to a call during the NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Chesapeake Energy Arena, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman"><figcaption>Oklahoma City head coach Billy Donovan reacts to a call during the NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Chesapeake Energy Arena, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-4eed3accdb45869d2363992cb8f80473.jpg" alt="Photo - Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook (0) talks with Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Boston Celtics at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman" title="Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook (0) talks with Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Boston Celtics at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman"><figcaption>Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook (0) talks with Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Boston Celtics at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-64793e7cefbf5458fed7d582349424e2.jpg" alt="Photo - Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan talks with Russell Westbrook during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Sacramento Kings at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman" title="Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan talks with Russell Westbrook during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Sacramento Kings at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman"><figcaption>Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan talks with Russell Westbrook during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Sacramento Kings at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-faa23cd2b8e21e72565bc8adc2b36581.jpg" alt="Photo - Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan talks to Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) during the game against the Atlanta Hawks at the BOK Center in Tulsa, OK on 10/7/18. BRETT ROJO/For the Tulsa World" title="Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan talks to Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) during the game against the Atlanta Hawks at the BOK Center in Tulsa, OK on 10/7/18. BRETT ROJO/For the Tulsa World"><figcaption>Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan talks to Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) during the game against the Atlanta Hawks at the BOK Center in Tulsa, OK on 10/7/18. BRETT ROJO/For the Tulsa World</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-d2ca9712e8a1aceac28d382a5ecd4b89.jpg" alt="Photo - Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan talks with Russell Westbrook (0) during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Memphis Grizzlies at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman" title="Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan talks with Russell Westbrook (0) during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Memphis Grizzlies at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman"><figcaption>Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan talks with Russell Westbrook (0) during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Memphis Grizzlies at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-9a222a480896f8fdf67dd107a308f1ea.jpg" alt="Photo - Oklahoma City coach Billy DOnovan gathers his team during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Detroit Pistons at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, Nov. 24, 2017. The Pistons won 99-98. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman" title="Oklahoma City coach Billy DOnovan gathers his team during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Detroit Pistons at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, Nov. 24, 2017. The Pistons won 99-98. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman"><figcaption>Oklahoma City coach Billy DOnovan gathers his team during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Detroit Pistons at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, Nov. 24, 2017. The Pistons won 99-98. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-29eb2df7265bc623c9dd6a6cb80e4bd0.jpg" alt="Photo - Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan talks with Paul George (13) as he exits the game during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New York Knicks at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017. Oklahoma City won 105-84. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman" title="Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan talks with Paul George (13) as he exits the game during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New York Knicks at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017. Oklahoma City won 105-84. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman"><figcaption>Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan talks with Paul George (13) as he exits the game during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New York Knicks at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017. Oklahoma City won 105-84. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-4e61855849b9f81643078ea2c952cc0d.jpg" alt="Photo - Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan talks with Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook (0) during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017. The Thunder won 114-96. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman" title="Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan talks with Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook (0) during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017. The Thunder won 114-96. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman"><figcaption>Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan talks with Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook (0) during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017. The Thunder won 114-96. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-78d3317d30a889acf3bb363f2f732cbf.jpg" alt="Photo - Oklahoma City's Carmelo Anthony (7) talks with coach Billy Donovan during a preseason NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Houston Rockets at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman" title="Oklahoma City's Carmelo Anthony (7) talks with coach Billy Donovan during a preseason NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Houston Rockets at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman"><figcaption>Oklahoma City's Carmelo Anthony (7) talks with coach Billy Donovan during a preseason NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Houston Rockets at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-00909a1d9552f15724a7350268e165cc.jpg" alt="Photo - Coach Billy Donovan speaks during Thunder post practice interview Thursday, September 28, 2017. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman
" title="Coach Billy Donovan speaks during Thunder post practice interview Thursday, September 28, 2017. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman
"><figcaption>Coach Billy Donovan speaks during Thunder post practice interview Thursday, September 28, 2017. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman
</figcaption></figure>
Joe Mussatto
Joe Mussatto joined The Oklahoman in August 2018 to cover OU football, men’s basketball and softball. He previously covered University of Kentucky football and basketball for SEC Country.
Mussatto is from Oklahoma City and lives in Norman.
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![Coach Billy Donovan walks on the court during a timeout in an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Chicago Bulls at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Monday, Dec. 16, 2019. [Nate Billings/The Oklahoman]](http://cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/large960_blur-bbbb50c48142305feca6759bed54836d.jpg)
![Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan talks with Oklahoma City's Steven Adams (12) during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020. San Antonio won 114-106. [Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman]](http://cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/sq150-0d061f42a3c544232ec7ff080e1eba3c.jpg)
![Oklahoma City's Billy Donovan reacts during NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Detroit Pistons at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, Feb. 7, 2020. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]](http://cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/sq150-342e8cd6bd372f6e46e4aa3532353587.jpg)
![Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan talks with the team during a timeout in an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Miami Heat at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, Jan. 17, 2020. Oklahoma State lost 76-64. Oklahoma City lost 115-108. [Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman]](http://cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/sq150-30b38e05ccbe0b62f7a3f89cd09ea5ca.jpg)
![Oklahoma City's Steven Adams talks with coach Billy Donovan during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020. [Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman]](http://cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/sq150-a020e567461675dcf956ca29e2441214.jpg)
![Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan speaks with Nerlens Noel, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chris Paul during a timeout in an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New Orleans Pelicans at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. Oklahoma City won 115-104. [Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman]](http://cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/sq150-f0ff58f5ab04c799d81b62287376ff90.jpg)
![Oklahoma City's Chris Paul (3) talks with coach Billy Donovan during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New Orleans Pelicans at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. Oklahoma City won 115-104. [Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman]](http://cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/sq150-03074bf588e01371e177e950ae03e741.jpg)
![Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan talks with Oklahoma City's Steven Adams (12) an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Philadelphia 76ers at Chesapeake Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, Nov. 15, 2019. Oklahoma City won 127-119. [Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman]](http://cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/sq150-66a5561686ef538eabb700df7a19f4d2.jpg)