The Chicago Bulls have a head coach who is respected by some of the best basketball minds in the world.
As the Los Angeles Lakers sought to replace Darvin Ham this summer, exciting names like former NBA player J.J. Redick and Dan Hurley of the UConn Huskies came into view for Los Angeles.
The Lakers ultimately hired Redick, but not before a long and well-publicized courtship ensued with Hurley, which saw Los Angeles offer the UConn star coach $70 million over six years.
Hurley had a difficult decision to make. Should he leave a potential dynasty at UConn and become the head coach of one of the most storied sports franchises of all time? Hurley of course eventually turned down the Lakers offer, but not before consulting with some key friends.
One of those friends was Bulls head coach Billy Donovan.
Donovan won back-to-back titles as the coach of the Florida Gators in 2006 and 2007, so he understands what Hurley is going through at the present moment. Like Hurley, Donovan was also tempted to the NBA after his explosive success at the college level.
Donovan actually signed a deal with the Orlando Magic in 2007 before backing out a few days later via buyout. He coached eight more years at Florida before becoming the head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2015, moving over to the Bulls in 2020.
According to a new report from CT Insider’s David Borges, Hurley sought Donovan’s counsel ahead of his difficult decision, and during the conversation, the two legends discussed the differences between the college and NBA game, and what that means for life as a coach at either level.
"We didn't get into the Lakers' situation or their personnel," Donovan said, per Borges. "I think Danny needed to go through whatever he went through. He was going to be able to find out the inner workings of the Lakers. I don't know anything about that ... Danny had to go through that on his own."
"My whole mindset, the type of coaching that suits me best right now, is certainly college," Hurley said, per Borges. "I want to be able to control my own destiny the best that I can. I schedule my games, I pick the players, I hire my staff. I decide how long we're going to practice, when we're going to practice."
Now, Donovan has his own decisions to concern himself with as the 2024-25 season approaches. The Bulls’ front office has put together an interesting roster for Donovan to work with, and how to divvy up playing time will be something for Donovan to mull over on many a night between now and the start of the season.
More NBA: Bulls rising star guard surprisingly labeled 'best current trade asset'
