Former Oklahoma City Thunder coach Billy Donovan was offered a deal before the team embarked in the restart of the 2019-20 season. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Donovan was offered a new contract with two guaranteed seasons and he turned down the deal.
Both sides agreed to re-engage discussions after the end of the season but ultimately parted ways on Tuesday, only days after the Thunder were eliminated from the playoffs.
Donovan likely saw the writing on the wall, as the Thunder's miraculous feature in the postseason was largely due to veteran All-Star Chris Paul, who could soon be gone from the organization.
OKC is very close to undergoing a complete rebuild, and the likes of Paul, Steven Adams, and even Dennis Schroder can be gone within the next few months. Had Donovan re-upped for two more years, it would put him in charge of a rebuilding project, with no clear pathway to playoff success.
The Thunder have now been eliminated in the first round in four straight postseasons, failing to reach a larger stage since Kevin Durant's departure in 2016. Donovan likely saw the end of the line with this roster, considering Paul is unlikely to be kept within the confines of a rebuilding team.
The $85-plus million remaining in his contract makes him a tough move, but Eastern Conference teams like the Philadelphia 76ers and the Milwaukee Bucks are anxious for a prove playmaker, and they just might be willing to shell out enough compensation to move Paul to a new home.
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