Billy Donovan is finally coaching in the NBA for real and it will be for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Multiple sources reveal that the former coach of the University of Florida Gators has agreed to a $30M five-year deal with the Thunder which will hopefully not see a sudden change of heart that happened in 2007.
Donovan had offers about a year ago from the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Minnesota Timberwolves but turned them both down. In 2007, Donovan initially agreed to coach the Orlando Magic but backed out at the last minute and returned to the Gators.
At that time, Donovan had already signed a contract and held a press conference. After the celebrated back out, Donovan was barred from holding any head coaching job position which was originally slated for five years.
Donovan's imminent coming will not be easy. He will have to convince Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook of his plans and hopefully improve on what former coach Scott Brooks was able to accomplish. Brooks best finish for the Thunder came in 2012 when the Thunder made it all the way to the NBA Finals but fell to the Lebron James-led Miami Heat in five games.
General manager Sam Presti later revealed that Donovan was the only he pursued to replace Brooks.
With this development, other teams which were eyeing Donovan may have to look for other candidates to fill in their head coaching vacancy. Two other teams who were hoping to sign up Donovan were the Denver Nuggets and ironically, the Orlando Magic.
Brooks will likely be a candidate for both squads although a lot of other head coaches who were given the boot will likely be interviewed.
Mike D' Antoni is someone that could land in Denver though nothing has been confirmed for now. D 'Antoni's last coaching stint was with the Los Angeles Lakers before he was given his walking papers in the 2013-14 NBA season.
