The Oklahoma City Thunder and head coach Billy Donovan agreed to part ways, announced the team on Tuesday. Donovan's contract with OKC came to an end after this season so he won't return to the Chesapeake Energy Arena next season.

"We had planned to sit down at the end of the season and discuss the best way to move forward for both of us. After those discussions, it became apparent that we couldn't provide him the information on the future direction of the team over the next several seasons to give him the level of clarity that he understandably desires at this stage of his career. Therefore, we close this chapter and reflect fondly on all that he has given to the team, organization and community. Billy will always have a place in the Thunder family," said Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti in a statement.

"This place will always be special to us. I will always hold this organization in the highest regard and wish the Thunder and their fans the success they deserve," said Donovan.

Donovan built his reputation in college basketball as the head coach of the Florida Gators. In 2015, he took over OKC at a five-year deal. In his first season, he led the team to make the Western Conference Finals and once led 3-1 over the Golden State Warriors. However, as Golden State figured out how to limit Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, they claimed three straight wins to come back and eliminate OKC from the playoffs. After that season, Durant left for Golden State.

In the following years, Donovan watched Westbrook finish three triple-double seasons in a row. However, OKC kept being knocked out in the first round of the playoffs. Finally in the summer of 2019, Westbrook was traded away to the Houston Rockets for 34-year-old Chris Paul and his three-year, 120-million-U.S.-dollar contract. Many thought that marked the beginning of OKC's reconstruction.

Donovan proved them wrong. He managed to take the incomplete team and help everyone find their role to work around Paul. In the end, OKC made the playoffs as No. 5 in the West with a 44-28 record. The team fought a tough series against Houston and kept their hopes up until the last minute of Game 7.

Nonetheless, the inevitable finally came. Donovan's departure meant that OKC decided to start over. Fortunately, the future for both sides seems bright. Donovan's time in OKC proved that he knew how to build an excellent defense, refine young blood and motivate the veterans to put all they have left in the game. Therefore, it should not be hard for the 55-year-old to find a new job in the NBA.

As for the team, the performances by Paul and Dennis Schroder in the past season raised their values and made them attractive targets for teams that are looking for champion pieces. Getting rid of their contracts and gaining some valuable assets does not sound very difficult. Moreover, thanks to the trades Presti made last year, OKC has 15 first-round draft picks for the coming seven years. Back then from 2007 to 2009, Presti selected Durant, Westbrook, and James Harden, all three of whom would become the NBA's Most Valuable Player. OKC is well poised for reconstruction.