The Reality Chicago Bulls Fans Must Face with Billy Donovan
Chicago Bulls fans may have to come to terms with the fact that head coach Billy Donovan is staying put despite ongoing debate over his performance.
Since taking over the Bulls in 2020, Donovan’s tenure has been marked by underachievement, leading many to call for his removal. However, following a multi-year contract extension, Donovan is set to remain with the team, sparking further discussions on whether he truly deserves to stay after several disappointing seasons.
Billy Donovan’s Tenure with the Bulls
In recent years, the Bulls have been stuck in a state of mediocrity, consistently hovering around the Play-In Tournament but failing to break through to the playoffs. They haven’t been bad enough to secure a top draft pick, but also haven’t performed well enough to contend for postseason success—arguably the worst position an NBA team can find itself in.
Yet, this only tells part of the story. Despite Chicago’s middling performance, the team’s 39-43 record last season was an improvement, with notable growth from players like Coby White, Josh Giddey, and rookie Matas Buzelis. This progress points to the effectiveness of Donovan’s coaching.
Chicago Sun-Times writer Joe Cowley highlighted Donovan’s ability to keep his job, even with a roster lacking talent. The 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons offered a glimpse into how his coaching could elevate a team and its stars.
As Cowley notes, “The best team Arturas Karnisovas has given Donovan was the 2021-22 squad. Before losing Lonzo Ball for the next two-plus years, the team was first in the East. Though no one believed they could make a championship run, they certainly would have been better than the first-round exit they suffered against Milwaukee that postseason.”
The Bulls held the No. 1 seed in the East until late February of 2022, finishing the season as the sixth seed after struggling down the stretch, winning just seven more games.
Cowley also points to Donovan’s role in the development of key players: “Zach LaVine had his best non-empty-calorie season under Donovan, posting a career-high 7.1 win shares in the 2022-23 campaign. DeMar DeRozan re-established himself as an MVP candidate, Alex Caruso earned two All-Defensive awards, and players like Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, and Matas Buzelis showed significant improvement.”
Looking ahead, Donovan’s challenge will be to continue developing the Bulls’ younger talent, including 2025 lottery pick Noa Essengue. Ayo Dosunmu, who played only 46 games last season, will also be fully healthy. If the Bulls can show further progress, it could prove that the issues with the team have been more about talent and circumstances than coaching, potentially silencing Donovan’s critics.
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