Daily Rumors: Bye Bye Billy

Basketball News: "The bizarre coaching situation in Orlando just took another twist. According to various media outlets in Florida, Billy Donovan is having second thoughts about being the next head coach of the Magic and would like to return to coach the two-time National Champion Florida Gators. On Sunday night, reports surfaced that Donovan has had a change of heart about the five-year, $27.5-million contract he signed on Thursday with the Magic."

Florida Today: "Two sources within the University of Florida athletic department confirmed late Sunday to FLORIDA TODAY that Billy Donovan has changed his mind after signing a five-year, $27.5 million deal on Friday to coach the Orlando Magic and wants out of the contract ... Donovan was emotional at his press conference in Gainesville on Friday when asked how hard it was to make phone calls telling people he was leaving UF. He later told Orlando Magic officials about his change of heart and felt he was rushed into making a decision he now regretted, according to sources. Magic officials could not be reached on Sunday night and were believed to be on their way to Gainesville to try to persuade Donovan to change his mind."

Orlando Sentinel: "The Orlando Magic today will allow Billy Donovan out of his 5-year, $27.5 million contract that he signed on Friday. "It's over," said a source close to the situation. Donovan had reservations about leaving the Florida Gators for the NBA on Friday and spent all weekend trying to find a way to get out of his contract. On Saturday, Orlando Magic General Manager Otis Smith went to Gainesville to try to convince Donovan to honor the deal. Smith talked with Donovan again on Sunday, and so did Magic President Bob Vander Weide. Unless Donovan wakes up today and changes his mind, the Magic will let him go, the source said."

Orlando Sentinel: "There was the player coup that forced out Brian Hill in 1997, the injury-filled career of Grant Hill, the ugly trade of Tracy, the runaway draft pick, Fran Vazquez. Now the Billy Boomerang. It could only happed to the Magic. A feel-good story has turned into a sob story. It's a devastating blow to a franchise that felt the buzz from the Donovan hiring, beaming as to how it could make the Magic matter again, confident his arrival would seal the deal on a new arena. Now, the Magic, even though Billy Ball is taking his ball and going home, plays the part of the fool again. County commissioners who were against the Magic's arena-funding plan just had their case bolstered, fair or not."

Orlando Sentinel: "Former Miami Heat Coach Stan Van Gundy was the only other coaching candidate the Magic talked to while they were courting Billy Donovan, who, incredibly is doing an about-face on Orlando after taking the job. Magic President Bob Vander Weide said that he was impressed with Van Gundy. Van Gundy told me last week before Donovan accepted the Magic job that he would "love to coach" the club, praising Dwight Howard and the city. He might get his chance now. Once the Donovan mess is sorted out --- there's virtually no chance the Magic can change his mind --- look for the club to announce his hiring this week. The only catch: Van Gundy likely was the lead candidate to get the Sacramento Kings' job."

Sacramento Bee: "While Seattle requested permission last month to speak with Rambis about its head-coaching vacancy, Van Gundy -- by his own doing -- has focused solely on Sacramento. After interviewing twice with Indiana, he turned down an offer to be the Pacers' head coach before the job went to Jim O'Brien on Thursday. Van Gundy also expressed interest in the Orlando position that went to former Florida coach Billy Donovan on Thursday. "He was well prepared, very professional," Petrie said of Van Gundy, repeating a standard post-interview summation. "It was a chance for Joe and Gavin and George (Maloof) and some other people to talk to him, to see him and meet him. We're going to get ahead tomorrow with Kurt, probably sit down at that point and talk to Joe and Gavin and everybody else about where we're going to go from there." While at the Monarchs' game, Joe Maloof said Van Gundy impressed. "It went well," he said. "We liked him a lot."

Sacramento Bee: "Two sources with knowledge of the process said on Saturday that Kings assistant Scott Brooks is still being considered, though he does not have a second formal interview scheduled. The sources did not want to speak on the record because of the ongoing interview process."

Sacramento Bee: "Surrounded by a dome-shaped ceiling and red lighting that bounced off the walls within the casual setting of the Palms Casino's 24/7 Café, suit-wearing Los Angeles Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis was joined by Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie, team co-owners Joe and Gavin Maloof and basketball vice president Wayne Cooper for a noon lunch Sunday that marked the beginning of his second interview. The question now is whether the Kings' powers-that-be are ready to give the green light on a replacement for Eric Musselman. But after a weekend that marked the only second interviews as yet to take place, the Kings' brass clearly has plenty to chew on. "The day is done, as they say," Petrie said on Sunday evening. "It went well. (Rambis) was very prepared, very knowledgeable and very interested -- both Stan and Kurt were. We're going to assess where we are here for a little bit and decide where we're going to go from here."

Basketball News: "The Nuggets have been fielding offers on Marcus Camby. He’s not the first player they would trade, but they know they need pieces and Stan Kroenke is holding firm to the “no tax” stance. If the Nuggets can move Marcus and not bring back as much salary it may open the door to keeping Steve Blake, something the club wants to do, but will not pay Luxury tax to do it."

Basketball News: "The Kings have been looking at deals to move Ron Artest. Ron-Ron wore out his welcome in Sacramento and apparently a couple of coaching candidates expressed concerns over taking the Kings job while Ron was part of it. Look for the Kings to have a fire sale with Ron. Mike Bibby is also not expected in the plans next year; a source close to the situation confesses a bag of t-shirts, ending contracts and a draft pick might be enough to get Bibby."

Basketball News: "Jermaine O’Neal is said to be [the Los Angeles Lakers'] first target – he’s gonna cost the Los Angeles Lakers Lamar Odom and the #19 draft pick along with Andrew Bynum. The Los Angeles Lakers are also said to be talking with the Kings about Ron Artest – he could be had fairly cheaply - and with Denver about Marcus Camby. Don’t be surprised to see a four team deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, Pacers, Kings and Nuggets. The Nuggets want to trim some salary, the Pacers want draft picks, the Kings want our of the Ron Artest business. There is a trade to be made, and it seems parts of a deal could happen before the draft."

Indianapolis Star: "There's no reason the Pacers couldn't work a deal that brought them Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom and the No. 19 draft pick (plus some filler) for O'Neal and Jamaal Tinsley (and some filler). The Los Angeles Lakers desperately want to keep Kobe Bryant happy, and the best way they could do that is to trade for O'Neal. The Pacers desperately need to start rebuilding in earnest, and Andrew Bynum and the No. 19 pick give them two young pieces to start the process."

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