Billy Donovan NBA Rumors Reaching a Boiling Point? Thunder Reportedly Prepare Offer
ByBilly Donovan appears serious about jumping to the NBA this offseason, as the Oklahoma City Thunder are zeroing in on the Florida Gators' coach.
Citing unnamed sources, Adrian Wojnarowski and Pat Forde reported for Yahoo Sports the Thunder were preparing an offer for Donovan, who has coached Florida to 467-186 record since taking over in 1996. The highlight of his tenure at Florida came in winning back-to-back National Championships in 2006 and 2007.
Since Donovan makes $4 million a year in Gainesville, where he benefits from not having a state tax, Wojnarowski and Forde expect the Thunder to offer about $6 million per year.
Their report indicated Donovan would like to talk to the Thunder's top starters - Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka, for example. Durant has also reportedly expressed interest in speaking with Donovan's players at Florida.
Possibly aiding the vetting process for the Thunder is owner Sam Presti's long-standing friendship with Donovan. But the coach has been connected to NBA jobs several times in the past, most notably to the Orlando Magic. In 2007, he agreed to helm the Magic before changing his mind to stay at Florida.
Unnamed sources told ESPN Donovan is the clear frontrunner for the Thunder job, as well as the coach's readiness for the NBA being at an all-time high.
Yahoo Sports noted the NBA disallowed Donovan to sign a contract with one of their teams during the duration of the five-year pact he signed with Florida after backing out of the Magic job.