Orlando Magic Coaching and GM Search: Team Seeks New GM for NBA Draft

The Orlando Magic announced Monday they have relieved coach Stan Van Gundy of his duties and mutually agreed to part ways with team architect Otis Smith, officially the club's President of Basketball Operations. In a news conference announcing the moves, team CEO Alex Martins says he anticipates hiring a new general manager to replace Smith before moving on to a coaching search. "The GM will drive the process," Martins said, referencing the process of hiring a new coach.

Martins, who only assumed CEO duties in December following the abrupt resignation of Bob Vander Weide, said he would like to have a new general manager in place before the NBA Draft, which is set for June 28th, which is 38 days from Monday's announcement.

Citing a source within Orlando's management, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reports the Magic have not begun discussing replacements for Smith, but will convene Tuesday to start their search.

As coach, Van Gundy led the Magic to their best seasons in franchise history, including two Eastern Conference Finals appearances and one NBA Finals trip, which included the team's lone NBA Finals win in history. Dwight Howard earned three Defensive Player of the Year honors; Ryan Anderson and Hedo Turkoglu took home Most Improved Player awards; and Howard, Jameer Nelson, and Rashard Lewis combined for seven All-Star appearances.

Per Martins, the team has given Van Gundy's assistant coaching staff--Ahmad Ajami, Bob Beyer, Steve Clifford, Patrick Ewing, and Brendan Malone--the option to remain on the staff for the final year of their contracts.

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