Thunder, Donovan begin talks

[Kevin]

No. 2: Report: Thunder, Donovan begin talks — If you missed it Monday, our David Aldridge pointed out in his Morning Tip how the Oklahoma City Thunder find themselves an important crossroad. After they fired coach Scott Brooks at season’s end and, given the injuries stars Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka and Russell Westbrook dealt with in 2014-15, OKC can’t afford to make a mistake on who it picks next to lead its group. The process of finding the next coach appears to be underway, writes Marc Stein of ESPN.com, as the Thunder have begun talks with University of Florida coach Billy Donovan:

The Oklahoma City Thunder have formally commenced discussions about their vacant coaching job with Florida coach Billy Donovan, according to league sources.

Sources told ESPN.com that Donovan and Thunder general manager Sam Presti have opened a dialogue about the position, which became available a week ago after the dismissal of Scott Brooks.

Within NBA coaching circles, Donovan is widely regarded as the clear favorite to succeed Brooks, who made one trip to the NBA Finals and two other trips to the Western Conference finals in his seven seasons as Thunder coach.

Donovan is the first known candidate to talk with the Thunder about the job. It was not immediately clear how many other candidates, if any, Presti plans to sit down with.

…

Donovan and his family are very entrenched in the university community after his nearly two decades as the coach in Gainesville. Leaving those ties and the college basketball kingdom Donovan has built there, for faraway Oklahoma City, is believed to be the biggest hurdle that could prevent the Thunder from ultimately hiring Donovan, who resisted serious interest this time last year from the Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves despite his well-known ambitions for coaching in the NBA someday.

Despite his lack of NBA coaching experience, Donovan is said to appeal to Presti as a candidate because of their similarly meticulous approaches to the job. Presti speaks often of the Thunder’s culture and making every move with that culture in mind. With two of his former assistants already there and a relationship with Presti already established, Donovan would appear to be the best available fit for that culture after former Thunder guard and current Connecticut coach Kevin Ollie withdrew last week from consideration.

…

Donovan recently agreed to a one-year contract extension to stay with the Gators through the 2020 season, but the contract contains a buyout for a mere $500,000 if an NBA opportunity arises. The extension is not regarded as an impediment to Donovan’s pursuit of NBA jobs.

…

Louisville coach Rick Pitino, one of Donovan’s most trusted confidantes thanks to their long history together as both coach/player and coach/assistant coach, recently confirmed in an interview with ESPN Radio’s “Mike & Mike” ‎that Donovan ‎”has an urge to coach in the NBA — a strong desire to coach in the NBA — and would like to try it, very similar to Brad Stevens, who is doing a wonderful job with the Celtics.”

Donovan agreed to take the Orlando Magic’s coaching job in 2007 and then backed out almost immediately to stay at Florida.

[Andrew]

Donovan agreed to take the Orlando Magic’s coaching job in 2007 and then backed out almost immediately to stay at Florida.

I always found that to be a pretty bush league move on his part. I wonder if history will repeat itself, should he take the Thunder job.

[benji]

He's likely in:

The Oklahoma City Thunder are nearing an agreement with Billy Donovan on a multiyear deal that will make the two-time NCAA title winner their new head coach, according to league sources.

Sources told ESPN.com that an announcement confirming Donovan as the replacement for the ousted Scotty Brooks is likely to come as soon as Thursday or Friday.

Also apparently Durant has signed off on him since Kevin Ollie pulled out.

[[Q]]

I called it over a week ago in the Scott Brooks thread.

At the very worst, he'll be like Mark Jackson or vinny del negro where inheriting a good team makes you look good

But he's way better than those guys so their success will depend on how good the other teams in the west will be

[Andrew]

No no, at the very worst, he backs out tomorrow.

[[Q]]

Lol that's true. Bust out the Billy Donovan memes!

[Moz]

I thought all along that they'll wait for the Bulls' fate before they hire their coach...

[Kevin]

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Thunder hired Florida's Billy Donovan as their coach Thursday, hoping he will help the franchise win an NBA championship in Oklahoma City.

"We warmly welcome Billy and his family to Oklahoma City," team chairman Clayton Bennett said. "He is the perfect fit for our organization and for our community, and we look forward to a long and successful relationship."

The 49-year-old Donovan led Florida to two national championships, four Final Fours, seven Elite Eights and 14 NCAA Tournament berths in 19 years. He signed a one-year contract extension with the Gators in December that would have paid him an average salary of $4 million through 2020.

[benji]

I thought all along that they'll wait for the Bulls' fate before they hire their coach...

He and Presti are buddies.