The Chicago Bulls face numerous uncertainties after a perplexing offseason where they failed to commit to a clear direction, leaving themselves stuck in the middle.
Trading away DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso suggested the Bulls were finally embracing a rebuild, but holding onto Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic has hindered that plan. Adding to the complexity, the Bulls have Billy Donovan, a coach originally hired to elevate the team, not to oversee a rebuilding process.
A potential split between the Chicago Bulls and Billy Donovan seems increasingly likely. The situation has shifted, and Donovan, who is not suited to leading a team through a tanking process, may no longer be the right fit—especially if the Bulls aim to retain their top-10 protected pick in the 2025 Draft.
Bleacher Report echoed this sentiment, listing Donovan among the coaches likely to be on the hot seat next season. While an outright firing seems unlikely, a mutual parting of ways could be on the horizon. If that happens, the Bulls will need to find the right coach to guide their young roster, and there are a few intriguing options available.
James Borrego
Borrego, who recently interviewed for several head coaching positions before returning as the associate head coach for the New Orleans Pelicans, could be a solid choice. He has a proven track record of developing young talent, as seen in his success with players like Herb Jones, Jose Alvarado, and Trey Murphy III. His previous head coaching experience with a young Charlotte team makes him a safe bet to elevate the Bulls’ roster.
Sam Cassell
Cassell, currently an assistant coach in Boston, is widely regarded as one of the best assistant coaches in the league and has been involved in multiple head coaching searches. He’s credited with helping develop stars like Jayson Tatum, John Wall, and Bradley Beal, and has worked under some of the NBA’s top coaches. A champion as both a player and a coach, Cassell could be tempted to leave the Celtics for a marquee team like the Bulls.
Chris Quinn
Quinn, a long-time assistant with the Miami Heat, has risen through the ranks to become Erik Spoelstra’s top assistant. Though the Heat may be grooming him to eventually replace Spoelstra, that transition might not happen for some time. Quinn has been praised by Spoelstra and Heat players alike for his role in the team’s player development. Young, ambitious, and mentored by one of the best, Quinn would be an excellent choice if the Bulls decide to move on from Donovan.