First reported by Adrian Wojnarowski (ESPN) and then confirmed via team press release, Billy Donovan will not return next season as coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Donovan was in the final year of a five-year contract.
Although discussions between OKC and Donovan were described as “collaborative,” they were also “realistic,” as the team likely looks to an earnest rebuild effort after the surprising success of this season, for which Donovan was named Co-Coach of the Year by the National Basketball Coaches Association. Donovan also finished third for the official NBA Coach of the Year Award.
The Thunder led by Donovan won 61% of their games, and went to the playoffs in each season, including the Western Conference Finals in Donovan’s first year at the helm.