Kevin Durant backs Billy Donovan appointment

Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant has given his backing to the appointment of Billy Donovan as the franchise's new head coach.

The Thunder fired Scott Brooks at the end of the regular season after his failure to deliver a championship to the organisation in his seven-year tenure.

Donovan arrives after leading the Florida Gators to two NCAA titles, but also with a lack of experience working in the NBA.

"When you don't have a coach, it's a lot of uncertainty in the building," Durant said, according to ESPN.

"But coming into the practice facility today, I felt like it was a next step for us. It was an exciting feeling for everybody that was there at the gym today to learn that we got Billy as our coach. We're excited, so we're looking forward to it."

Durant added that he hadn't spoken to his new coach yet, while Donovan is expected to be formally introduced to the media on Friday afternoon.