Despite the fact that the Oklahoma City Thunder were sent home in the first round of the plays, it sounds like Billy Donovan will be returning as head coach of the team next season.
In an interview with the media on Monday morning, Thunder general manager Sam Presti noted that he is anticipating Donovan's return in OKC:
Sam Presti says he anticipates Billy Donovan returning as coach next season.
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) April 29, 2019




Donovan, now 53 years of age, has done a solid job with the Thunder. In four seasons with the team, he has racked up a 199-129 overall record. However, Donovan's team's have lost in the opening round of the playoffs in each of the last three seasons, leaving many fans in OKC with a sour taste in their mouths. They weren't the favorite in the West this season, but many experts thought they would get out of their first-round slump, especially with Paul George back.
That wasn't the case, though, as Oklahoma City was eliminated by the Portland Trail Blazers in five games. Try as they did, the Thunder had no answers for Damian Lillard's 3-point barrage in Game 5.
The Thunder picked up the fifth-year option of Donovan's contract earlier this season, and some thought he would earn an extension with a better postseason performance. Now, it seems he'll be fighting for that extension next season, but at least he'll be retaining his job.