Would Billy Donovan Consider Taking Another NBA Head Coaching Job?

Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan has been at the forefront of many rumors surrounding the franchise, mostly concerning his role with the team. Chicago recently ousted General Manager Marc Eversley and Vice President of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas, and are looking to replace their central decision makers in the front office ahead of the May 10 NBA Draft Lottery. Chicago enters the draft lottery at the No. 9 slot, sitting with a 20.3% chance at jumping into the top-four draft picks. But after the Orlando Magic lost on Wednesday night in the 7 vs. 8 Play-In game against the Philadelphia 76ers, many critics have started to wonder if Donovan could be eyeing a different Eastern Conference head coaching gig.

Donovan wanted to wait to make a decision on potentially taking the North Carolina head coaching job, likely wanting to wait to see  if Chicago would get lucky in the draft lottery, raising the talent level of his squad. The Tar Heels didn't wait, nabbing former Denver Nuggets coach Mike Malone as their new leader. But the fact that the UNC job is taken hasn't quieted the Donovan rumors completely, as him taking an NBA opening appears viable and now, more likely. The Magic lost on Wednesday night in the 7 vs. 8 Play-In game against the Philadelphia

HoopsHype recently published a piece by Michael Scotto that touched on Donovan's uncertain future. In the piece, Scotto and league sources ponder if Donovan would take the Orlando Magic job if it became available. 

Orlando lost 109-97 to Philadelphia on Wednesday and now will be taking on the Charlotte Hornets for the right to be the No. 8 seed in the East playoffs. Some critics have went as far as to say they believe Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley's job is on the line in Friday's game, partly due to a fractured relationship with an Orlando "star player." 

Many have assumed that disgruntled star is likely 2023 Rookie of the Year and one-time All-Star Paolo Banchero, who struggled through a 7-22 shooting night in Orlando's Play-In loss on Wednesday. Banchero has previous statements voicing his displeasure with the way the team has been coached, so critics are simply connecting the dots. 

Banchero is coming off of a season in which he averaged 22.2 PPG, 8.4 RPG and 5.2 APG on a (not great) 49.6% eFG.

The question on the mind of Bulls Nation and likely, Bulls' brass as well, is: Would Donovan--who still has strong roots in Florida--consider taking the Magic job should it become available?

Donovan returned to his home in Florida this week after meeting with Bulls ownership on Tuesday to discuss the direction of the franchise. The fact that there was no concrete answer on what Donovan plans to do does not bode well for his chances for remaining in Chicago as they look to hire a new front office. Donovan accepted the Orlando Magic head coaching job back in 2007, eventually having a late change of heart and backing out to return to the University of Florida. 

If presented with the opportunity to coach the Magic again, it is tough to see Donovan passing on the opportunity. NBA money is similar for coaches around the league, and Orlando has the advantage of being in Florida, a place he will always consider home, and having a pair of under-25 stars in Banchero and Franz Wagner.

Donovan has never been a coach that wanted to commit to a rebuild--a big part of why he left the Oklahoma City Thunder for Chicago in the first place--and the Magic would present him with the chance to coach a playoff-ready team looking for a fresh start in terms of leadership on the sidelines. The Magic don't have a coaching vacancy yet, but if they do go in a different direction, expect Donovan to be at the top of their list, and expect him to seriously consider leaving Chicago for Orlando.