The Chicago Bulls are in active discussions with head coach Billy Donovan about a contract extension, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
This move comes after the New York Knicks requested permission to interview Donovan, a request that was reportedly denied by Chicago’s front office.
The Knicks’ attempt to lure Donovan sparked new urgency from the Bulls’ side to lock in their head coach beyond the remaining year on his current deal, which was quietly extended ahead of the 2022–23 season.
The Bulls’ decision to retain Donovan aligns with a broader league trend, as multiple franchises have rejected New York’s advances toward their head coaches.
Alongside Chicago, the Atlanta Hawks reportedly declined an interview request for Quin Snyder, while the Dallas Mavericks swiftly rejected a similar approach for Jason Kidd.
Donovan, who has led the Bulls since 2020, oversaw a 39–43 campaign this past season that ended in a play-in loss to Miami, marking Chicago’s third consecutive season without advancing past the opening postseason round.
Despite the early exit, Donovan’s tenure has been defined by stability amid organizational changes and on-court inconsistency.
Chicago’s front office, led by Artūras Karnišovas, is expected to reshape the roster this summer, but retaining Donovan appears to be a priority as they navigate a competitive Eastern Conference landscape.
New York’s coaching search remains wide-ranging after parting ways with Tom Thibodeau despite a 51–31 regular season finish and two straight years of playoff success.
