Magic hire Florida's Donovan
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The head coaching carousel made some interesting stops yesterday, dropping University of Florida coach Billy Donovan in Orlando and former Celtics and 76ers bench boss Jim O'Brien in Indiana.
The Magic offered Donovan nearly $30 million over five years, according to NBA sources at the league's predraft camp.
When told about the money coming Donovan's way, former Florida star Joakim Noah said, "That's a lot of hamburgers.
"I think he'll excel wherever he goes," Noah said. "I expect him to follow his heart. He's a great person and he's somebody who loves the game and he's very passionate about the game. I feel like he's somebody who's going to excel wherever he goes because of his relationships with people."
Donovan, who coached the Gators to the last two national titles, turned down an offer after the Final Four to coach the University of Kentucky and was set to sign an extension at Florida, where he was making $1.7 million a year. He replaces Brian Hill, who was fired after two consecutive losing seasons.
Florida reached three NCAA title games in Donovan's 11 seasons. However, the Gators lost their top seven scorers from last season, including Noah, Corey Brewer, and Al Horford, who are considered potential top-10 picks in the June 28 NBA draft.
"People should be thankful for what he did," Brewer said. "He turned [Florida] from a football school to basketball. Basketball is on the map now. He has back-to-back national titles. If he wants to go to the NBA and they're giving him all that money, go ahead, Coach. I know he's going to be a great coach at the next level."
The Magic confirmed the hiring last night, and the team has called a press conference for this morning.
While the Magic had long been rumored to want Donovan, the Pacers' hiring of O'Brien came as a surprise to most league observers.
"We're very happy to have Jim as the new coach of the Indiana Pacers," said Pacers president of basketball operations Larry Bird in a press release. "After speaking with him the last 10 days, we have a vision of where we want this team to go, from how we are going to practice to how we are going to play and the style we're going to play. We are on the same page. I believe it is very important to have a coach with experience and I feel Jim is the guy who will take us to the next level."
Celtics assistant coach Tony Brown had been in the running for the Pacers' job, but will continue pursuing opportunities around the league with his contract set to expire June 30.
Also yesterday, the Grizzlies officially hired Suns assistant Marc Iavaroni as their coach, and Rod Higgins, the Warriors' general manager the last three seasons, was named GM of the Bobcats.
Meanwhile, the East Valley Tribune of Mesa, Ariz., reported that Steve Kerr, who won five NBA championships in 15 years as a player, will be named GM of the Suns within a week.
"I've been watching tapes, but I don't know yet," said Rivers. "I really don't know. I'm a ways away. There are guys that we all like, but I think we've got to watch the other guys that we don't like, who I don't even know yet. I think Danny [ Ainge] has a far better idea if we had to [make the pick] right now than I would."
Put Al Thornton, Brewer, Noah, Jeff Green, Yi Jianlian, and Julian Wright on the short list for now. Thornton, a forward from Florida State, said he is scheduled to work out in Waltham June 7-8. Brewer said Boston is the only team on his workout itinerary so far, and he also expects to attend the June 7-8 session. Noah and Green, a forward from Georgetown, also will likely audition at that time.
Rivers remains focused on the players currently on the Celtics' roster.
"I talked to Paul [Pierce] about three days before the lottery," said Rivers. "I think he's good. After the season we had, everyone needed distance. We needed to exhale from that. That was something I hope never happens to anybody. He's good. He's been working. He looks great right now. He's been working his [butt] off. For the first time in his life, Paul was not in shape [after being injured last season], and that scared him, and that's good for us."
Rivers expects Rajon Rondo, Gerald Green, Leon Powe, and Allan Ray to play in the summer league.
The conversation took place a day after Bryant asked to be traded, saying among other things he had been misled by Buss nearly three years ago when he re-signed with the Lakers.
"I talked with Kobe this morning and assured him that I share his frustration and, more importantly, I assured him that we will continue to pursue every avenue possible to improve our team with him as the cornerstone," Buss said in a statement. "I told him that we will keep him apprised of our progress and we agreed that we will talk again in the very near future."
Bryant, the league scoring champion the past two years, asked the Lakers for a trade Wednesday. He said nothing could change his mind, but he backed off somewhat after speaking with coach Phil Jackson.
Bryant, who turns 29 in August, is owed $88.6 million for the four years he has left on the seven-year, $136.4 million contract he signed July 15, 2004. That was a day after Shaquille O'Neal was traded to the Miami Heat.
Shira Springer can be reached at springer@globe.com; material from wire services was used in this report. 