Bulls Shock NBA World By Poaching Top Magic Assistant Coach
By 813 Staff
In a development that changes the playoff picture, Bulls Shock NBA World By Poaching Top Magic Assistant Coach, according to Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) (on May 14, 2026).
Source: https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/2054939326773919900
The text came through on a burner phone at 6:47 a.m. — the kind of vibration that wakes you up before your coffee does. One of Billy Donovan’s longtime lieutenants sent it. All it said was: “It’s done.”
By 7:15, league sources confirmed to me what Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) broke first: the Chicago Bulls are finalizing a deal to hire an Orlando Magic assistant as their next head coach. The name hasn’t been formally announced yet, but those close to the situation say the hire signals a clear philosophical shift for an organization that has spent the last two seasons stuck in neutral.
Let’s be real about what this means. The Bulls have been quietly shopping around for a coach who can develop young talent and install a modern, movement-based offense. Donovan did solid work here, but his tenure wore thin after two first-round exits and a play-in embarrassment. The front office wanted fresh eyes and a voice that hasn’t been hardened by seven years of Chicago winters. They found that in Orlando.
The Magic assistant in question — league insiders are being careful not to jump the gun before the press release — has been a key architect of Orlando’s surprising rise. That team went from laughingstock to playoff pest in two seasons, largely because of a defensive system that forces turnovers and pushes tempo. The Bulls’ brass has been watching that tape closely.
Why this matters for the 813: this hire isn’t about winning next season. It’s about rebuilding the identity. The Bulls have a young core in Coby White, Patrick Williams, and this year’s lottery pick, and they need a coach who can grow with them. The front office also wants someone who can squeeze production out of role players — something the Magic staff has done exceptionally well.
What happens next is expected to move fast. The deal is being finalized, meaning a formal announcement could come as early as this afternoon. Donovan will officially be let go with a year left on his deal, and the new staff will begin assembling immediately. No extension talks yet for the incoming coach, but sources say the initial term is three years with a team option.
For now, the Bulls have their guy. The league is watching. And I’m keeping my phone on vibrate.
Source: https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/2054939326773919900
