Let’s start this out by stating the obvious: Billy Donovan’s hiring was pre-meditated and destined to happen at some point. Between GM Sam Presti’s extensive history and friendship with Donovan and the fact that the Thunder had already hired multiple Donovan staffers to work underneath former head coach Scott Brooks, the writing on the wall had been clear for years. Presti and the team may have claimed to have done an extensive and far-reaching search but ultimately, the job was always Donovan’s for the taking.
More simply put, the Thunder have had Donovan in the plans for a very long time.