The San Antonio Spurs just added a lot of experience to their bench. Billy Donovan, who spent 11 seasons as a head coach between the Chicago Bulls and Oklahoma City Thunder, has agreed to come on as the lead assistant under Mitch Johnson. Shams Charania broke the news, and it’s one of those moves that makes you pause and think — what does this mean for next season?
Donovan is a familiar name around the league. He coached Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook in OKC, took the Thunder to the playoffs year after year, and then spent five seasons in Chicago trying to build something that never quite came together. Now he’s heading to a franchise that just lost the NBA Finals to the New York Knicks but still has Victor Wembanyama at the center of everything. That’s a pretty good landing spot.
Why This Move Makes Sense for the Spurs
Mitch Johnson took over as head coach after Gregg Popovich stepped down, and he’s done a solid job getting this team to the conference title and beyond. But hiring Donovan as lead assistant isn’t just about filling a chair. It’s a statement. The Spurs are trying to win now. Wembanyama is already a problem for everyone else, but the roster needs development and Donovan has proven he can work with young talent. Just look at his time in OKC.
Donovan also brings a different perspective. He’s been a head coach for over a decade. He’s seen playoff battles, roster rebuilds, and everything in between. That kind of wisdom doesn’t hurt when you’re trying to get over the hump after a Finals loss.
What Donovan Brings to the Table
Let’s be real — the Spurs don’t need a total overhaul. They’re already one of the best teams in the Western Conference. But the Finals showed some cracks. The Knicks exposed some depth issues and defensive breakdowns. Donovan has a reputation for adjusting on the fly during series, which is probably something Johnson wanted. You don’t bring in a guy with Donovan’s resume unless you’re asking for his input.
There’s also the Wembanyama factor. Having another experienced coach who can help him refine his game, especially on the defensive end and in late-game situations, could be huge. Donovan worked with stars before. He knows how to keep egos in check and how to maximize talent.
The team hasn’t officially confirmed the hire yet, but multiple reports have it locked in. Expect an announcement in the next few days. For now, Spurs fans have every reason to feel good about this addition. It’s not every day a team that just made the Finals adds a former head coach to its staff without losing any key pieces.
More roster moves are likely coming as the offseason rolls on. But this one? It’s the kind of quiet, smart move the Spurs have made for years. Donovan isn’t walking into a rebuild. He’s walking into a contender.
Leave a Comment