Slow going as Magic search for new coach

The Orlando Magic's season ended more than five weeks ago, but the team doesn't appear to be any closer to hiring a new head coach, based on recent media reports.

At the NBA Draft Lottery on Tuesday, where Orlando learned it will select fifth overall in the 2015 NBA Draft, Alex Martins indicated his club will maintain a deliberate approach. "We're not sticking ourselves to any sort of timeline," he said. "We've had a tremendous amount of interest in the job."

Magic fans have made Tom Thibodeau their top choice to succeed James Borrego, who finished the 2014/15 campaign with a 10-20 record following the dismissal of Jacque Vaughn. And while one report out of Wisconsin suggested the Magic would be willing to pay top dollar to lure the Chicago Bulls' coach to the City Beautiful, K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune urged caution on Saturday.

"[S]ources indicate the Magic's interest in Thibodeau has been way overstated, if not nonexistent to this point," writes Johnson.

Meanwhile, at ESPN, veteran reporter Marc Stein writes that Thibodeau is indeed a top target for Orlando, but that its front office has eyed Scott Skiles and Michael Malone as well. Skiles' longstanding relationship to the DeVos family, which owns the Magic--Skiles became a fan-favorite during his five-season run as Orlando's point guard--could work to his advantage.

Thibodeau owns a career coaching record of 255-139 (.647) and has two years remaining on his contract with the Bulls.

Skiles last coached in the 2012/13 season, during which the Milwaukee Bucks let him go due to a 16-16 start. He has also coached the Phoenix Suns and Bulls. His career record stands at 443-433 (.506).

Before taking over the Sacramento Kings for the 2013/14 season, Malone carved out a reputation as one of the league's most innovative and respected assistants; as a head coach, he compiled a 39-67 (.368) record in one-plus seasons. The Kings fired him in December 2014 following an 11-13 start.

At present, there's no indication that Orlando has selected a favorite from a wide pool of coaching candidates, or if the process of interviewing potential new hires has even begun. Expect word to remain quiet: under Rob Hennigan, the Magic have remained tight-lipped regarding all personnel matters, ever cautious about tipping their proverbial hand. Nevertheless, one might expect Orlando would want to have a coach in place before the Draft on June 25th. Keep that date in mind as the offseason progresses.