It was a word thrown around several times during Billy Donovan’s introductory zoom press conference.
And not freely, either.
“Partner.’’
That was the hook that the Bulls front office sold Donovan on.
Yes, he was obviously put in charge of the coaching Xs and Os, but his chair was more than just that.
“I wanted be in a situation where everybody is rowing the boat in the same direction, everybody is pulling together, everybody is working for the same cause, there’s a lot of really good dialogue and communication, and I think as a coach you are a part of it,’’ Donovan explained back in September. “You’re a part of it all the way through from top to bottom, and I think [executive vice president of basketball operations] Arturas [Karnisovas] was looking for that, looking to partner with somebody as a coach to try and continue to develop and build the program.’’
What the early stages of this reclamation project have shown is while the development has obviously started – that was evident even in meaningless exhibition games – there is still a lot of work to be done as the regular season tips off for Donovan on Wednesday. And atop that priority list has to be recognizing which talent is a building block for the Bulls moving forward, and which pieces are expendable.
So while a source told the Sun-Times that the negotiations between Lauri Markkanen and his franchise on a contract extension never got close as the Monday deadline expired, that also doesn’t mean the “partnership’’ has made some sort of final decision on what Markkanen means to them.
If anything, Donovan and Co. have simply put a decision on hold, letting Markkanen now have to make a case for himself to go out and set his market price as a restricted free agent.
It’s very good business in very uncertain times.
Veteran Thad Young is sidelined as he recovers from MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) in his left leg, Tomas Satoransky hasn’t practiced since last week, likely in the league’s coronavirus protocol in some capacity, veteran Garrett Temple just got out of the protocol, and Denzel Valentine (hamstring) has practiced fully twice.
Throw in a shortened training camp, just four preseason games, and no offseason for Bulls players and coaches to get acclimated to a new scheme, well, to go out on that limb for Markkanen – who took a step back last season – just wasn’t in the cards.
So what exactly will be Donovan’s role in the “partnership,’’ and the discussions he will have with his front office on valuing players? He was actually very transparent about it recently, explaining how the relationship with Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley works.
“I think the first layer is during the course of a season, I know for myself, I don’t have enough knowledge on the college guys,’’ Donovan said. “Marc and Arturas and the staff, they’re going to be watching games all year long, and all of a sudden our season ends, the college season is over with, they throw a few guys in front of me that I watch, I know nothing about the player. What’s important to me is the make-up of the player you’re bringing in, in terms of does he have a feel of how to play, does he have a great work ethic, is he a good team guy, is he unselfish, is he going to be able to handle the ups and downs?’’
When Donovan expects to be heard is during free agency and the discussions center around proven players in the league. As the Markkanen decision was made, that undoubtedly includes his own players.
“I feel like I’ve got a better feeling for guys in the league because you’re preparing for them every single game,’’ Donovan said.
