The Bulls Reportedly Signed Billy Donovan to a Contract Extension This Offseason

The Chicago Bulls had a secret.

According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the organization signed Billy Donovan to a contract extension this offseason. How long that extension is remains unclear, but Charania did seem to imply that it includes multiple years tacked onto his original four-year contract.

NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson confirmed the news shortly after Charania’s initial report:

All things considered, it’s not too shocking to hear the Bulls wanted to extend Donovan after a season where the organization ended its playoff drought and had its most wins since the 2014-15 campaign. But the fact the news is just coming out now is a head-scratcher. Not to mention, the fact this team is in the thick of an underwhelming 9-11 start probably isn’t going to help the news sit well within a sector of the fan base.

If one thing is for sure, however, it’s that the front office has long voiced their affection for Donovan. He’s been in lockstep with Arturas Karnisovas and Co. since he first arrived ahead of the 2020-21 season. And there is no question he’s helped stabilize what was otherwise a dysfunctional culture behind the scenes. But whether or not this front office acted too fast may become a bigger and bigger question if the Bulls can’t right the ship this season.

Personally, I haven’t found him to be the problem with this team (I put that mainly on roster construction by this front office), but fingers do always end up pointed at the head coach when things go south.

written by

Elias Schuster is the Lead Chicago Bulls writer at Bleacher Nation. He started with BN full-time in 2019 immediately after graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign with a degree in Journalism (yes, he started with the Jim Boylen Era). Since joining, Elias has been the driving force behind Bulls and NBA content for both the site and social accounts. You can follow him on Twitter/X @Schuster_Elias.

more bulls news

Enhanced Box Score: Bulls 110, Trail Blazers 107 – March 18, 2024

The beginning of this one gave me some mixed emotions. First, Alex Caruso was forced to exit and go to the locker room just 3 minutes into the game. Having entered the day as questionable with toe soreness, it sure...

OH MY: ANTHONY EDWARDS JUST HAD THE BEST DUNK OF THE YEAR

Anthony Edwards has done it again. The emerging Minnesota Timberwolves superstar jammed the most impressive poster dunk of the season against the Utah Jazz on Monday night. Pushing the pace in transition during the third quarter, Edwards passed the ball...

Damian Lillard Pulled Up to Watch the Bulls Play the Trail Blazers

Damian Lillard wants to be traded to the Chicago Bulls confirmed. The Milwaukee Bucks All-Star starter was a surprise guest at the Chicago Bulls' Monday night game. Lillard made the drive down from Milwaukee for an opportunity to sit courtside...

Pre-Gamin’: Portland Trail Blazers at Chicago Bulls (7:00 CT), Projected Lineups, How to Watch, More

Tough week ahead, can't lose this one. https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1769695253408198745?s=20 Game Info Portland Trail Blazers (19-48) at Chicago Bulls (34-35) – 7:00 p.m. CT on NBC Sports Chicago (TV) and 670 The Score (Radio) Projected Starting Lineups Chicago Bulls Ayo Dosunmu Alex Caruso DeMar...

Bulls Weekly Preview: Trail Blazers, Rockets, Celtics – March 18-24

At the end of the day, I'm pretty sure a 2-2 effort last week was about what most expected from the Bulls. How they got there, however, wasn't exactly the most conventional of routes. But, hey, nothing is really ever...

This Might be the Most Alex Caruso Stat Ever …

Alex Caruso’s name should already be written down on All-Defensive First Team ballots – in pen.  The Chicago Bulls’ guard joined the prestigious club for the first time during the 2022-23 season. While the team as a whole struggled to...

LeBron James and JJ Redick’s New Podcast Actually Sounds Great

While it sure feels like everyone and their mother has a podcast these days, LeBron James’ new venture with former NBA sharpshooter JJ Redick sounds worthwhile.  The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand was the first to announce the new podcast titled “Mind...

Another Must-Win, Bulls Bracket Ideas, Defensive Drop Off, Happy “I’m Back” Day, and Other Bulls Bullets

Pssh, the Chicago Bulls have been bringing the Madness since October! March Madness is among the best stretches in the sports calendar every year. Not only do we get to spend hours staring at our brackets and pretending we know...

Injury Updates on Coby White and Alex Caruso Ahead of Game with Portland

The Chicago Bulls could be without two starting backcourt players against the Portland Trail Blazers. The latest official injury report puts both Coby White and Alex Caruso's availability for Monday night into question. Of course, White has been sidelined since...

WATCH: Kyrie Irving Beats Nuggets At The Buzzer for Epic 107-105 Win

Between the conference tournaments wrapping up, the Players Championship's amazing conclusion, and some awesome NBA matchups it's been a phenomenal Sunday of sports viewing. With all that was on, if you didn't have the Nuggets and Mavericks game on you...

Latest News

OH MY: ANTHONY EDWARDS JUST HAD THE BEST DUNK OF THE YEAR

Anthony Edwards has done it again. The emerging Minnesota Timberwolves superstar jammed the most impressive poster dunk of the season against the Utah Jazz on Monday night. Pushing the pace in transition during the third quarter, Edwards passed the ball...

De’Aaron Fox Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Grizzlies – Monday, March 18, 2024

To beat his 3-point prop, De'Aaron Fox must make three from beyond the arc on Monday, when his Sacramento Kings face the Memphis Grizzlies, tipping off at 10:00 PM ET.De'Aaron Fox's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the GrizzliesDe'Aaron Fox's over/under for...

Malik Monk Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Grizzlies – Monday, March 18, 2024

Will Malik Monk make three 3-pointers when the Sacramento Kings face the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday at 10:00 PM ET? If so, he'll beat his prop for the game.Malik Monk's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the GrizzliesMalik Monk's over/under for three-pointers...

Bogdan Bogdanovic Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Lakers – Monday, March 18, 2024

At 10:30 PM ET on Monday, it'll be the Atlanta Hawks against the Los Angeles Lakers, with Bogdan Bogdanovic needing three trifectas to beat his 3-pointer prop.Bogdan Bogdanovic's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the LakersBogdan Bogdanovic's over/under for three-pointers in this...

Anthony Davis Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Monday, March 18, 2024

The Los Angeles Lakers face the Atlanta Hawks at 10:30 PM ET on Monday, and one of the 3-pointer over/unders available for this clash requires just one make from Anthony Davis.Anthony Davis' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksAnthony Davis' over/under...

Dejounte Murray Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Lakers – Monday, March 18, 2024

To beat his 3-point over/under, Dejounte Murray must make four from downtown on Monday, when his Atlanta Hawks face the Los Angeles Lakers, tipping off at 10:30 PM ET.Dejounte Murray's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the LakersDejounte Murray's over/under for three-pointers...

D’Angelo Russell Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Monday, March 18, 2024

To beat his 3-point over/under, D'Angelo Russell must make three from beyond the arc on Monday, when his Los Angeles Lakers play the Atlanta Hawks, starting at 10:30 PM ET.D'Angelo Russell's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksD'Angelo Russell's over/under for...

LeBron James Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Monday, March 18, 2024

To beat his 3-point over/under, LeBron James needs to make three from downtown on Monday, when his Los Angeles Lakers face the Atlanta Hawks on Monday at 10:30 PM ET.LeBron James' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksLeBron James' over/under for...

Finally, a Team Wanted the Reigning NL Cy Young Winner

The rumors all wound up being true: Blake Snell would take a two-year deal in the $60 million range, the Giants were probably the favorites now, and the pressure was on to get something done. Per Jon Heyman, it two...

Damian Lillard Pulled Up to Watch the Bulls Play the Trail Blazers

Damian Lillard wants to be traded to the Chicago Bulls confirmed. The Milwaukee Bucks All-Star starter was a surprise guest at the Chicago Bulls' Monday night game. Lillard made the drive down from Milwaukee for an opportunity to sit courtside...

more bulls news