Billy Donovan‘s contract runs out after next season but he’s not sweating over his tenuous status with the Thunder, Erik Horne of The Oklahoman writes. Donovan has no real desire to return to the college ranks and will likely retire or become an NBA assistant if he loses his job with Oklahoma City, Horne continues. It’s possible the Thunder will give Donovan an extension during the season but he’s not lobbying for any assurances, Horne adds. The Thunder have lost three assistants — Mark Bryant, Darko Rajakovic and Bob Beyer — due to the lack of job security in OKC.
We have more from around the Northwest Division:
- The Trail Blazers took a look at six guard and wing prospects in their latest pre-draft workout on Monday, according to a team press release. Boston College’s Ky Bowman, Brewster Academy’s Jalen Lecque, Clemson’s Shelton Mitchell, Nebraska’s James Palmer Jr., Oregon State’s Stephen Thompson and Belmont’s Dylan Windler were the participants. Lecque is ranked No. 48 overall by ESPN’s Jonathan Givony.
- The Jazz, who hold the No. 23 overall pick in the first round, have a better idea of which players will be available at that spot, Eric Woodyard of The Deseret News reports. “I think we do have a better idea of 5-10 guys, I don’t have an exact number right now, but I think we’ve narrowed it down,” VP of player personnel Walt Perrin said. “We were in the theater the other day looking at players and talking about whether or not they should still be in the 23, as we call it, bucket. So, it’s again, 12 days and we’ll know better in another week, but I think the process is starting to narrow itself.”
- Former NBA guard Jamaal Franklin participated in a free agent mini-camp with the Trail Blazers, according to Sportando’s Nicola Lupo. Franklin averaging 32.3 points, 9.9 rebounds, eight assists, and 2.4 steals this past season with the Sichuan Blue Whales in China. He last played in the league during the 2014-15 season with Denver. Franklin also recently participated in a Kings mini-camp.
In 2015-2016, Donovan coached a 55 win team with Ibaka, Durant, and Westbrook to the WCF finals, and lost to the Warriors in seven. They were up 3 games to 1 in that series, but somehow lost the series. Tough break, I guess.
But since that season, Donovan has coached his team to 3 first round exits…and a lot of people say he’s not really “coaching” Westbrook at all, as Westbrook seems to have gotten worse every season.
Obviously, I don’t think Donovan is a great coach. But it’s amazing to me how everyone “knows” D’Antoni can’t coach, when Donovan won big in the NCAA and looks decidedly average compared to D’Antoni…
agreed. donovan’s proven he can’t get them to the next level, westbrook’s shooting is trash. they need another chip
No one can coach Westbrook….and that is their issue. Billy is team shrink/baby sitter. Maybe he will go to a team that will let him coach. He is too young to retire.