Donovan gets strong endorsements from Buzelis, Giddey

Bulls president Michael Reinsdorf said this week the new basketball operations hire should be willing to keep head coach Billy Donovan.

Donovan said he wants to stay and loves the organization. So he's staying, right?

That's not official, but at Friday's home finale at the United Center, Donovan received two strong player endorsements. Matas Buzelis told reporters he spoke to Donovan on the phone while the team was in Washington this week and Buzelis was home sick.

“After the GMs got fired, I told him, 'I hope you don't leave. I'm riding with you forever. You're a cornerstone for my career. I don't want you to go anywhere,'” Buzelis said.

“We'll see what he does. He probably has options, but I want him to stay and I made that clear for him.”

Josh Giddey offered similar sentiments earlier in the night.

“He's been awesome,” Giddey said of Donovan. “I've loved him ever since I got here. Very, very straightforward. I think all the guys would say the same thing, he's very direct. He tells you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear, and he gives it to you straight.

“I couldn't speak (more) highly of him. I love him. I hope he's here for a long time.”

Buzelis turned his ankle in Friday's loss to Orlando and is not expected to play Sunday in Dallas. Giddey has missed the last four games with a left hamstring strain.

With a high ceiling, Buzelis might be the key player for any Bulls' improvement.

“I know this summer I'm going to work my butt off,” he said. “It's going to be a hard summer for me. Just everything overall, but the main thing is going to be the strength for me.”