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Former head coach of the New York Knicks Tom Thibodeau speaks at a press conference during media day.
Add the Orlando Magic to the list of NBA teams searching for a new head coach.
For a moment, the Magic looked like they could potentially put together one of the most shocking upsets of the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
As the eighth seed, the Orlando Magic held a 3-1 lead over the top-seeded Detroit Pistons. Perhaps a second-round ticket could’ve saved Jamahl Mosley from getting cut by the organization.
Heading into the postseason, Mosley was reported as the most likely coach to get fired after the playoffs. It was becoming clear that it was time for the Magic to find a new voice after having Mosley around for five seasons.
Now that he’s officially on his way out the door after the Magic choked a 3-1 lead in the first round of the playoffs, Orlando is back in the market for a new head coach for the first time since 2021.
BREAKING: The Orlando Magic have dismissed head coach Jamahl Mosley, sources tell ESPN. Mosley’s tenure in Orlando finishes after five seasons, including three consecutive playoff runs from 2023 to 2026. Orlando had a first-round elimination for the third straight time Sunday.
With the Magic just now dipping into head coaching free agency, the team hasn’t revealed a list of interview targets just yet.
But don’t be surprised if a handful of these available coaches are linked to the job.
GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 22: Head coach Billy Donovan of the Chicago Bulls reacts against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on March 22, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
This one is already thrown out there as a speculative candidate by The Athletic’s Josh Robbins.
Donovan is fresh off a run with the Chicago Bulls. Although he just signed an extension with the team last summer, he stepped down from the organization late last month. Chicago fired up a rebuild and doesn’t seem to be on the path to contention anytime soon.
Experience is a major plus here, as Donovan served 11 years as an NBA head coach. The first five years were with the OKC Thunder. The last six years have been in Chicago. Donovan’s teams made the playoffs six times, but only made it out of round one once. That might be a red flag for Orlando, but don’t count him out.
It’s been a while, but a reunion could be in the works. Borrego joined the Magic as an assistant in 2012. At the time, he assisted Jacque Vaughn, eventually taking over for him as an interim head coach.
The Magic posted a 10-20 record with Borrego in charge. Since then, Borrego coached with the San Antonio Spurs (assistant), Charlotte Hornets, and the New Orleans Pelicans.
As a head coach, Borrego posted a 42.9% winning percentage. Borrego coached a struggling Hornets roster and had a 70-game stretch as the interim head coach for the Pelicans this year. They went 24-46 under his management.
GettyHead coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors laughs from the bench with coaches (L-R) Seth Cooper, Terry Stotts, Jerry Stackhouse and Kris Weems during the second half at the Delta Center on January 28, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
For a moment, it seemed Stotts could get back in the driver’s seat with a team, as Steve Kerr’s future with the Golden State Warriors was up in the air. As time moves on, Kerr’s chances of returning are increasing.
The former Portland Trail Blazers head coach might want his own bench again. The Magic have a talented roster and could use some experience.
Stotts was a longtime coach for the Blazers, getting them to the playoffs in eight out of nine seasons. Portland didn’t win a title under his management, but they were consistently competing in the postseason and went as far as the Western Conference Finals in 2019.
Stotts is a respected voice around the league and is coming from a championship-winning organization.
Now is probably the time for teams to start looking at the San Antonio Spurs again for their coaching tree.
This year, the Spurs were the second-best team in the West. Sweeney holds an Associate Head Coach title in his first season with the Spurs. He would be a first-timer at head coach, but San Antonio assistants have a good track record.
Sweeney has been praised as a blunt coach who knows how to gain respect amongst his players and coaches quickly. That’s a needed quality for an inexperienced head coach.
Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty ImagesINDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MAY 25: Head coach Tom Thibodeau of the New York Knicks reacts against the Indiana Pacers during the fourth quarter in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 25, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
The Magic want to compete right away. Tom Thibodeau brings the right kind of resume to the table. He might not be every player’s cup of tea, but the risk might be worth the award in Orlando.
Thibodeau had stops as a head coach in Chicago, Minnesota, and New York. With the Knicks, Thibodeau coached them to the playoffs in four out of five seasons. They failed to make it out of round one once, and cracked the Eastern Conference Finals last year.
Thibodeau’s firing was a shock. He was expected to be considered a top candidate for open positions in 2025. So far, there isn’t a ton of traction for the head coach with 998 games under his belt, but the Magic are an intriguing landing spot for him, as they are ready to become steady contenders.
Justin Grasso Justin Grasso is an NBA/NFL reporter, covering trending league news, transactions, injuries, and player developments. He is a credentialed journalist with nearly a decade of insider access. More about Justin Grasso
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