Players voice unwavering support for Coach Donovan, citing his vital role in their development. The locker room's endorsement could sway his future with the team.
Despite the front office fallout that concluded Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley's managerial tenure on Monday, Billy Donovan remained in place on the sideline with his coaching board in hand — at least for now.
Though his status beyond this season remains uncertain, the Bulls' CEO Michael Reinsdorf addressed the media Tuesday in the wake of the front office reshufflement, making his message loud and clear that he wants to keep Donovan. As it turns out, so do the players.
Speaking to reporters after Friday night's 127-103 home finale loss to the Orlando Magic, Matas Buzelis didn't mince words about where he stands.
"After the GMs got fired, I told (Donovan), 'I hope you don't leave. I'm riding with you forever. You're a cornerstone for my career. I don't want you to go anywhere,'" Buzelis said.
Mar 28, 2026; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan talks with forward Matas Buzelis (14) during the fourth quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn ImagesThe sentiment carries weight. Buzelis, drafted by his hometown team about two years ago, has been developing all the way under Donovan's watch. This season, the sophomore forward averaged 16.3 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 35.6% from three — a legitimate leap for a player Donovan has installed as a full-time starter, appearing in 76 games with 76 starts. The growth wasn't panned out overnight, but it was real and established, and Buzelis knows exactly who to credit for it.
Buzelis finished Friday's home finale with 14 points and eight rebounds before exiting in the fourth quarter with a right ankle injury.
Josh Giddey, ruled out for Sunday's season finale in Dallas with a left hamstring sprain, also expressed his desire for Donovan to stay, per K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network. That endorsement also carries significant weight as Donovan has been as central to Giddey's breakout as anyone this season. The Australian guard posted career-highs across the board this season: 17.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 9.1 assists in 54 games, while shooting 36.4% from the three-point line and averaging a career-high 1.9 made triples per game.
With buy-in from the front office and the locker room's agreement, the decision now rests entirely with Donovan himself. He has shown little interest in filling the front office hole, and the North Carolina head-coaching vacancy — once rumored earlier last week and the Tar Heels were reportedly pursuing for — is no longer on the table after former Denver Nuggets coach Mike Malone took the position.
For the 60-year-old Hall of Famer, the road ahead narrows to whether he stays or walks away.