This summer, the real work for Rob Hennigan begins
Questions are starting to arise for general manager Rob Hennigan. The trust and patience with the Magic general manager could be running thin soon with fans.
The Orlando Magic wanted more from this season. Everyone from management to the players realize that.
After Friday’s win over the Portland Trail Blazers, the talk was still about the disappointment that these final 10 games would be bereft of meaning and the desire to make next year better.
The task of making next year better falls squarely on Rob Hennigan. And even we have begun turning our attention to the future of the franchise and where the Magic are at in this long rebuild process.
The pressure is on him to deliver results for the first time in his tenure.
Fans have been extremely patient. Much more patient than they have ever had to be with this organization. The Magic’s longest absence from the Playoffs is four years — the first four years of their existence. This season will mark just the third three-year absence from the Playoffs in the franchise’s 26-year history.
While the Magic have been more patient than they have ever been with a roster, that patience can only last so long. The schedule, if you can call it that, had the Magic building enough assets and getting two top-5 picks to be ready to make the Playoffs by Year 4, 2016.
It does not quite feel that is where the Magic are certain to head.
And, so naturally, the questions start to fall at the feet of the general manager. This is, after all, the plan he has created and begun to execute.
On Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel’s radio show on Tuesday, he asked the question about whether Hennigan should receive more blame for the Magic’s woes and whether he can right the ship . . . and quickly. The results of his poll came out pretty lukewarm (results as of about 9 p.m. Tuesday):
It seems the fans are willing to be a little more patient, but a misstep could tip the scales against him. Patience is running thin.
Everyone’s favorite media provocateur Dave Pingalore of WKMG Channel 6 is already calling for Hennigan to be fired for failing to have the Magic turn the corner after three years.
There certainly should be a few frustrated season ticket holders. Removing Jacque Vaughn was an important first step to showing the fans, at least, the team is not satisfied with where it is either. There were even points before Vaughn’s firing that the sentiment was Vaughn would get to the end of the season. There was little rush for change.
I tend to side more with Bianchi, who wrote:
"I am somewhere in the middle because I am undecided. I honestly don’t know if Hennigan has done a good job. He seems to have acquired a decent young core of players, but those players aren’t even close to winning. Plus, Hennigan clearly whiffed on the hiring of Jacque Vaughn as the team’s head coach."
Hennigan was given a bad situation and created a long-term plan.
In brief: Year 1, clear the decks; Year 2, begin rebuilding and collecting assets; Year 3, get a clearer view of the puzzle.
The Magic happened to get the second pick (and what turned out to be the best player) in one of the worst drafts in recent history. They got bad Lottery luck last year getting the fourth pick in what was ostensibly a three-man draft.
Then came the news the NBA will not be phasing in the expected increase to the salary cap from the new TV deal, creating a potential bonanza in the Magic’s targeted spending summer of 2016.
Hennigan has been put in a tough position.
Throw on top the bad coaching hire in Jacque Vaughn, the slowed development of young players like Andrew Nicholson and Maurice Harkless and the miscalculation in the contribution from veteran free agent Channing Frye, and the Magic are certainly frustratingly behind schedule.
A lot of the reasons for this have been out of Hennigan’s control. His moves have been calculated and his draft picks have largely panned out — Andrew Nicholson was drafted before he even hired a coach. But he has yet to hit on a big free agent (Channing Frye could still pan out, in fairness, but in a reduced role or in a different defensive system).
He will have to continue drafting really well — particularly with the upcoming high lottery pick — and will have to bring in a major free agent to get the Magic to turn toward the Playoffs.
Meanwhile, Magic fans will wait. How long without the pitchforks might be the bigger question.
With so much at stake this summer — from a new coach to Tobias Harris‘ future — do not be surprised to see the Magic make a big move. . . or remain patient and have faith in their ability to build from within.