WASHINGTON — Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan said Thursday he is grateful for team president and CEO Michael Reinsdorf’s support but insisted it will not influence his decisions about the future.
“I think Michael was expressing how he feels about me,” Donovan told reporters before Chicago’s game against the Washington Wizards. “But everybody has to look at what’s best for the Bulls at that point in time.”
Reinsdorf made clear on Tuesday that he wants the 60-year-old coach to remain in charge. The comment followed Monday’s front-office overhaul in which executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley were dismissed after six seasons that produced only one playoff berth.
Donovan, completing his 11th NBA season and sixth with Chicago, said he has not decided whether to stay. He plans to meet with Reinsdorf after the season ends.
“I love it here,” Donovan said. “The relationships with Jerry, Michael, the staff, everyone in the building — it’s been an awesome working environment. But we’re in this position because we really haven’t won a lot.”
Donovan reached the postseason in each of his five years with the Oklahoma City Thunder, advancing past the first round only once, when the club made the 2015-16 Western Conference finals during his debut campaign.
Source: ESPN
