The Chicago Bulls have hired Billy Donovan to be their next head coach, and he wants to hear directly from the players.
Donovan spoke to the media Thursday for the first time after agreeing to a four-year, $24-plus million deal with the Bulls, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium. The 55-year-old said he is going to start watching the tapes of his players and asking for their input in terms of usage:
“First thing I'll do is watch a lot of film… hear from them (players) on how they want to be used,” Donovan said, via the Bulls' Twitter. “How do they feel they’re most effective? How can you take advantage of their skillset in the offense? Then you build out how you want to play.”
Newly-appointed president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas also said he spoke to Donovan about the roster, stating “This roster is too talented to what they showed the last few years,” per Jamal Collier of the Chicago Tribune.
Could this mean the Bulls will stand pat this offseason and let Donovan enter the 2020-21 season with the same core group of players?
Bulls shooting guard Zach LaVine's name has been thrown around in the rumor mill, and former first-round pick Lauri Markkanen will be a restricted free agent next year. Meanwhile, Kris Dunn is due for RFA this year.
Donovan seems keen on learning more about his personnel, and the Bulls are hoping he can facilitate growth in some of their young players, just as he did in Oklahoma City.
The former Thunder head coach has plenty of work to do. Chicago entered this year with playoff expectations, but won just 22 games under Jim Boylen.
However, this is a team under new leadership, and Donovan wants to be sure he is on the same page as his players heading into next year.
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