Chicago Bulls Quietly Handed Out A Huge Contract Extension This Summer

The Chicago Bulls, it turns out, did a big piece of business this past offseason, keeping it totally off the radar. NBA Insider Shams Charania is reporting now that the Bulls handed out a multi-year extension to head coach Billy Donovan this summer.

The Bulls confirm that Billy Donovan signed a contract extension before the season, which @ShamsCharania had 1st.

Local reporting from all corners of the beat has been very consistent that the partnership between Donovan and management remains as strong as when it began.

— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) November 29, 2022

Bulls insider K.C. Johnson reports that the partnership between Donovan and management remains as strong as when it began. The coach came on board in 2020, and in his first season with the team, led the Bulls to a 9-win improvement as they built closer toward being a playoff team once again. 

Then last season, the Bulls got off to a roaring start, and despite a rash of injuries, finished 46-36, another 15-win improvement, and made their first playoff appearance in four seasons. 

Prior to coming to the Windy City, the 57-year-old had a 243-157 record in his five seasons as Oklahoma City Thunder head coach (from 2015-20). 

Donovan had two seasons left on his existing Bulls contract after last season, but is now under contract "for several more years", according to Charania.

Photo: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports