Fansided

NBA Rumors: Nuggets, Magic eying Billy Donovan

By Josh Hill

Mar 12, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Florida Gators coach Billy Donovan disagrees with a call during the first half of the second round against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the SEC Conference Tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Florida Gators coach Billy Donovan disagrees with a call during the first half of the second round against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the SEC Conference Tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The future of Billy Donovan could very likely involve the NBA and it could take him to Orlando or Denver, as those two teams are looking at the Gators coach

More from Denver Nuggets

The Florida Gators just gave Billy Donovan a new contract but that’s not keeping NBA teams off his trail as he’s still a top name at the moment for becoming a head coach in 2015-16.

According to Marc Stein of ESPN.com, the Orlando Magic and Denver Nuggets are two teams who are already eying Billy Donovan as head coach next season — but they’re hardly the first teams to try and pry him away from Florida.

"The Denver Nuggets and Orlando Magic are the only NBA teams currently employing an interim coach, but sources say both of those clubs plan to have Donovan on their list of targets once they began more expansive coaching searches after completing their respective regular-season schedules in April."

Let’s not forget how the Gators were able to thwart off both the Timberwolves and the Cavaliers this past summer — and they have a history with beating the Magic when it comes to keeping Billy Donovan. A few years ago, the Orlando Magic had a deal all worked out to hire Billy Donovan but he pulled out after the fact and returned to Florida.

Really, ever since then, the Magic have been in coaching turmoil and haven’t been able to find anyone to stick. The Nuggets are an interesting choice for Donovan given their young talent, but he’s far from a slam dunk to land the job this offseason.

Both team going after Donovan is notable, but this is hardly an indication that either team will land him. Donovan is technically locked in at Florida through 2020, and he’s backed out of the NBA in the past. It’s clear that there is calling to coach at the highest level in your profession but Billy Donovan hasn’t been afraid to back out of that supposed dream in the past.

Teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves and Chicago Bulls could be looking for new head coaches this offseason as well, which means the Billy Donovan hype is only getting started.

You have to hand it to the Florida Gators head coach though, as no man who has burned the NBA as badly as Donovan has is as desired as he is and has been in the recent past.

More from FanSided

Home/Denver Nuggets