The Orlando Magic front office made the move many in the NBA suspected they would to begin their offseason, and the franchise acted quickly.
Less than 24 hours after the Magic were eliminated from the playoffs when they blew a 3-1 series lead in Game 7 against the Detroit Pistons, the team announced it had fired coach Jamahl Mosley after five seasons. Mosley had been rumored to be on the hot seat heading into the postseason, as the Magic were relegated to the play-in tournament after being mentioned as Eastern Conference contenders heading into the 2025-26 NBA campaign.
Team president Jeff Weltman said in a statement that the Magic is seeking “a new voice and fresh perspective,” and the job remains an intriguing one despite Orlando’s collapse against the Eastern Conference’s top seed. The Magic still have 2022 No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero, Desmond Bane and former lottery picks Franz Wagner and Wendell Carter, Jr. under contract, and could potentially make the jump many anticipated this season a year later with the right hire.
Here’s a breakdown of six potential candidates to replace Mosley as the Orlando Magic’s next coach:
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Orlando Magic coaching candidates
Billy Donovan
Donovan notoriously accepted the Magic job and even held an introductory news conference in Orlando in 2007 before deciding to return to Gainesville as Florida’s coach. He recently stepped down as the Bulls coach after six years and has already been linked to the job in several reports. Donovan has a 469-413 overall record in 11 seasons as an NBA coach, with a trip to the Western Conference Finals with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2016.
Mike Budenholzer
Budenholzer was unceremoniously fired after one season with the Phoenix Suns last year, but he still has a reputation for producing high-performing offenses from his days with the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks previously and an NBA championship on his resume in the past five years. His scheme is also known for operating well even without a traditional point guard, which could free up the Magic’s pre-existing personnel.
Tom Thibodeau
Thibodeau has been on the shelf since the New York Knicks fired him after last year’s loss in the Eastern Conference Finals, but he’s a proven coaching commodity with everything but an NBA Finals appearance on his resume. Thibodeau’s defensive identity would build on the Magic’s strengths, but might not be the best fit for a team whose stagnant offense caused it issues all season long.
James Borrego
The former Charlotte Hornets coach and Magic assistant/interim head coach could make a return to Orlando after an admirable 24-46 run as the Pelicans interim head coach this season. Despite his ties to San Antonio Spurs and Gregg Poppovich, Borrego’s lack of playoff credentials will be hard to overcome in the coaching search if the Magic front office intends to act as aspiring contenders this offseason.
Sam Cassell
Might the Magic be the team that finally gives the longtime NBA point guard and assistant coach his first chance to lead an NBA team? He’s been mentioned as a candidate for various openings over the years, and he’s been a lead assistant coach under Joe Mazzulla during his successful run with the Boston Celtics.
Terry Stotts
The longtime Portland Trail Blazers coach spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach for Steve Kerr and the Golden State Warriors. His eight-straight playoff appearances with the Trail Blazers, combined with time spent in Kerr’s offensive system, could be appealing to Orlando if it can’t reel in its top candidates.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Billy Donovan among Orlando Magic candidates after Jamahl Mosley fired
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