Report: Thunder Nearing Agreement With Donovan

ESPN's Marc Stein is reporting that the Thunder is close to naming University of Florida coach Billy Donovan to the same position in Oklahoma City. Stein says that talks between Donovan and the Thunder have recently intensified and that an announcement could come as soon as Thursday. Donovan has a close relationship with Thunder General Manager Sam Presti and has 21 years of coaching experience in the college ranks. He has an overall record of 502-206.

Presti hired Mark Daigneault, a Donovan assistant, to coach the D-League's Oklahoma City Blue last year and a former Gator video coordinator, Oliver Winterbone, is now a scout for the Thunder.

The 49-year-old Donovan has long flirted with the NBA, even taking the Orlando job for a day in 2007 before having a change of heart and returning to Gainesville, but he doesn't actually have any pro coaching experience.

Donovan has coached the Team USA Under-18 and Under-19 teams since 2012. He won gold each summer (2012, 2013, 2014) and coached the likes of Marcus Smart, Julius Randle, Aaron Gordon, Jahlil Okafor and Justise Winslow.

Donovan has a $500,000 buyout on his contract that currently pays $4 million a season through 2020.