Updated Bulls Rumors Reveal New Candidates to Replace Billy Donovan in Latest HC Search

More new candidates have emerged as the Chicago Bulls cast a wide net to find their next head coach.

According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, Cleveland Cavaliers associate head coach Johnnie Bryant and Charlotte Hornets assistant Lamar Skeeter are now on the Bulls' radar to replace Billy Donovan, who stepped down last month.

Scotto previously reported that the Bulls planned to interview Miami Heat assistant Chris Quinn, while Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (h/t SI.com's Elias Schuster) reported that Portland Trail Blazers interim head coach Tiago Splitter, San Antonio Spurs assistant Sean Sweeney, Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori, Oklahoma City Thunder assistant Dave Bliss, former New Orleans Pelicans interim head coach James Borrego and Bulls assistant Wes Unseld Jr. were among the candidates under consideration as well.

Bryant, 40, has extensive experience as an NBA assistant coach, serving on the Utah Jazz staff from 2014 to 2020 before acting as the New York Knicks' associate head coach from 2020 to 2024 and the Cavs' associate head coach from 2024 to present.

With Bryant serving in a key role behind head coach Kenny Atkinson, the Cavaliers posted the best record in the Eastern Conference last season at 64-18, and they reached the Eastern Conference Finals this season, although they currently trail the Knicks 2-0.

The 37-year-old Skeeter has been an assistant coach with the Hornets under Charles Lee since 2024.

Before that, he was an assistant with the G League's Canton Charge from 2012 to 2013, a player development coach and video intern with the Atlanta Hawks from 2013 to 2014, and an assistant coach and player development coach with the Jazz from 2014 to 2024.

Skeeter helped oversee a massive improvement in Charlotte this season, as the Hornets went from 19-63 in 2024-25 to 44-38 in 2025-26.

The Bulls went 31-51 this season and they have missed the playoffs each of the past four years, and eight of the past nine.

There is some hope for improvement next season, though, as the Bulls own the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft, which could potentially land them North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson or Duke forward Cameron Boozer.