Mark Daigneault isn’t surprised Billy Donovan is back on an NBA bench - and he thinks the Spurs are getting exactly the kind of voice that can matter in a hurry.
Donovan is joining San Antonio as an assistant after the Spurs fell short in the 2026 NBA Finals, giving Mitch Johnson a veteran presence as the team heads into a season where expectations are no longer hiding in the shadows. It’s a notable shift for Donovan, who spent more than a decade in the NBA after his legendary Florida run, including four years in Oklahoma City and six seasons with the Chicago Bulls. Now 61, he’s taking on an assistant role for the first time since 1994, when he was at Kentucky.
Daigneault, who will be on the other sideline when the Thunder and Spurs open the season, sees the move as a reflection of Donovan’s makeup.
"He'll embrace it. There's a reason he's doing it.
He loves to coach. He loves basketball.
He loves competing. Loves being around it," Daigneault said.
"I don't know how many people, if I'm being honest, are humble enough to go in the Hall of Fame in September and then take an assistant coaching job in May or June. But he's one of them."
The relationship between the two goes back years. Donovan brought Daigneault onto his Florida staff from 2010-14, and their paths later crossed in Oklahoma City as well.
Daigneault actually got to OKC first, serving as head coach of the G League’s OKC Blue from 2014-19 before Donovan became the Thunder head coach from 2015-20. They were on the same NBA staff only once, during the 2019-20 season, when Daigneault briefly joined the Thunder as an assistant before taking over as head coach.
Daigneault has always spoken highly of Donovan’s influence, and this latest reunion just adds another layer to the Thunder-Spurs rivalry.
"He's a unique, original guy, and that's just the latest example of it. He'll add tremendous value to them.
I give Mitch a lot of credit. It takes a lot of humility to add somebody with that pedigree," Daigneault said.
"They'll both benefit from that because they both have the humility to do so. He'll be a huge asset to them."
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Oklahoma Citys focus now shifts to cleaner execution and the kind of offensive sharpness that can separate a contender from a team still ironing out details in October. A matchup with the Spurs should help answer some of those questions, especially with young players being thrown into a high-leverage setting right away and the first game offering a clearer read on how ready the Thunder are to handle the seasons early pressure. [Read more 🡒]
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Holmgrens presence remains the big question hanging over opening night, though, after the All-Star was sidelined during the preseason. He has been working back from a right quad contusion, and while the Thunder still expect him to play a key role once hes ready, Mark Daigneault has not confirmed whether Holmgren will be available when the season begins against San Antonio. [Read more 🡒]
Jalen Williams Loved What Ajay Mitchell Just Changed For OKC
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Mitchells work against Austin Reaves drew particular attention, since his defensive impact helped tilt the series in Oklahoma Citys favor. For Williams, who watched the whole thing unfold from the sideline, the takeaway was bigger than one hot stretch in the postseason. The Thunder may have found another player who can change a series, and if Williams is healthy going forward, that kind of added versatility could matter even more. [Read more 🡒]