The Magic have requested permission to interview three assistants with no previous NBA head coaching experience, sources tell Josh Robbins of The Athletic. The requests involve Suns assistant Willie Green, Bucks assistant Charles Lee and Nets assistant Ime Udoka.
Orlando may be seeking a younger coach to oversee its rebuilding process after moving many of its veteran players at this year’s trade deadline. Former head coach Steve Clifford reportedly decided to part ways with the team because he didn’t want to commit to a rebuilding situation.
Green, 39, came to Phoenix in 2019 when Monty Williams was hired as head coach. He also served as an assistant coach with the Warriors and finished out his 12-year NBA career with the Magic in 2014/15.
Lee, 36, has been an assistant for seven seasons, working under Mike Budenholzer with the Hawks and Bucks. He has also been mentioned as a candidate for head coaching vacancies in New Orleans, Boston and possibly Milwaukee if the organization decides not to bring back Budenholzer.
Udoka, 43, has been a candidate for several openings in recent years. He is in his first season with Brooklyn after previously serving as an assistant with the Sixers and Spurs. Robbins notes that the Magic interviewed Udoka after Frank Vogel was fired in 2018, but Clifford was chosen for the job.
Orlando has already sought permission to interview Spurs assistant Becky Hammon, Lakers assistant Jason Kidd and Nuggets associate head coach Wes Unseld Jr.
Robbins speculates that Rick Carlisle, who resigned as Mavericks coach on Thursday, could be another name to watch because he and general manager John Hammond spent two years together in Detroit. However, Carlisle is expected to receive offers from teams that are ready to be competitive right away.
There’s more on the NBA’s coaching search:
- Carlisle could be the Bucks‘ top candidate if they fall short in the playoffs and decide to replace Budenholzer, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon said on Brian Windhorst’s Hoop Collective podcast (hat tip to Real GM). MacMahon also cites rumors about Carlisle returning to the Pacers, where he coached from 2003-07, and speculates that he never would have left Dallas unless he was sure that another opportunity was awaiting.
- On the same podcast, MacMahon named Jamahl Mosley, Terry Stotts and Kidd as three likely candidates to replace Carlisle with the Mavericks. Mosley, who is also a candidate for other openings, has been an assistant in Dallas since 2014. Stotts served as an assistant to Carlisle with the Mavs before the Trail Blazers hired him as head coach.
- Zach Harper of The Athletic considers the Celtics‘ job the best one available in his coaching vacancy power rankings. He names Carlisle as the best choice for Boston.
So many ACs get interviewed. I wonder if they say everything they know about BB, or if they hold stuff back bC they suspect the GMs just want to pick their brain, or check off a box.
When isn’t Orlando in rebuild mode? Wow how many coaches can you run thru?
When they had Shaq and Dwight, they weren’t. That’s it though.
Even when T-Mac was there they could win a playoff series.
Orlando will struggle just to win 20 games next season, even in the east.
Actually, they’ve been very solid for one of the younger franchises in the NBA + they’ve done it while being a small market.
Look at how they compare to the other young franchises:
Playoffs – Franchise years in NBA (%)
MIA: 22-33 (67%)
ORL: 17-32 (53%)
TOR: 12-26 (46%)
MEM: 11-26 (42%)
CHA: 10-33 (30%)
MIN: 9-32 (28%)
…and ORL has been a legit contender in 7 of those seasons. That’s while being one of the smaller markets in NBA, which means it’s extremely difficult to lure or retain talent.
Compare their results to Miami, which is a much bigger market + is/has always been a top glamour destination city…or Toronto whose market is essentially an entire country + is a good sized international hub.
Before Dwight Howard forced his way to LA in 2012, the Magic only had 6 losing seasons in prior 24 years.
…AND they were finally digging out of that Dwightmare induced rebuild before covid and an insane amount of injuries destroyed that trajectory:
In 18-19 ORL was tied for 6th seed in the East while being the youngest team in the playoffs.
In 19-20 ORL was hovering at 6/7th seed with one of easiest strength of schedule remaining when covid interrupted season.
Then in bubble, the insane injury plague began and that in combination with several players with looming free agency concerns essentially forced the Magic into another rebuild.
Celtics would be fools not to hire Celtic blood Carlisle.
Carlisle to the Celtics makes perfect sense!
James Borrego should be on someone’s radar.
Don’t forget Milwaukee will have an opening too if they don’t win Game 7. I would love for Giannis to beat the Nets. Its time for Giannis to show the world he’s a real Superstar. Giannis winning Game 6 at home was predictable. Go win game 7 on the road if you want your coach to stay. Winning game 7 will shut up alot of critics who don’t believe you can win the big game.
“Orlando may be seeking a younger coach to oversee a rebuild…”
*means an inexpensive, first time head coach
Atkinson should be next Magic coach. Magic have too many injuries. With a top 5 pick. They will have plenty talent.
Carlisle is next Celtic coach. Why the drama.
DAntoni should go to Wizards or Blazers. He can fix them.