Billy Donovan Could Leave the Chicago Bulls

The Bulls' front office upheaval, with Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley fired, has left head coach Billy Donovan's future unclear. Insider Jake Fischer reported Donovan "is expected to draw interest from other NBA teams this spring." Chicago extended Donovan last summer and denied the Knicks permission to interview him, yet the team is 30-49 and set to miss the playoffs again. CEO Michael Reinsdorf defended Donovan: "If I interview someone and they're not sold on Billy, they're not sold on a Hall of Fame coach." Merlin sees the coaching market stirring like a cauldron. A 60 year old coach with Donovan's resume and a multiyear deal can be tempted by fresh projects, especially with his top executives gone. Reinsdorf's public support helps, but outside teams will probe Chicago and test how badly the organization wants to keep him.