Report: Thunder Have Begun Talks With Florida’s Billy Donovan

The Oklahoma City Thunder have begun talks with Florida coach Billy Donovan about becoming their next head coach, according to an ESPN.com report.

This comes after SNY.tv and other outlets reported last week that UConn’s Kevin Ollie withdrew his name from consideration for the job.

ESPN.com reported that Thunder GM Sam Presti has hired two members of Donovan’s staff in the last 12 months, Mark Daigneault as coach of the Thunder’s D-League team and Oliver Winterbone as a data analyst.

Donovan agreed to become the Orlando Magic head coach in 2007, only to reverse course and go back to Florida following back-to-back NCAA championships with the Gators.

Still, ESPN.com recently reported that the Florida coach was looking to get back to the NBA, and his mentor, Louisville coach Rick Pitino, confirmed it, telling ESPN’s “Mike & Mike” he ‎”has an urge to coach in the NBA — a strong desire to coach in the NBA — and would like to try it, very similar to Brad Stevens, who is doing a wonderful job with the Celtics.”

Donovan, who makes more than $4 million annually, has a $500,000 buyout if he goes to the NBA, the report said.

Florida lost guard Michael Frazier and forward Chris Walker to the NBA Draft pool, while guard Eli Carter will transfer.