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Orlando Magic Daily Podcast Episode 68: Sorting through the GM search with RealGM’s Keith Smith

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Jan 18, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; Orlando Magic head coach Frank Vogel talks to referee Scott Wall (31) in the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans won 118-98. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; Orlando Magic head coach Frank Vogel talks to referee Scott Wall (31) in the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans won 118-98. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Orlando Magic are in the midst of their big search for a new general manager. As the Draft gets closer, we look at what the latest rumors mean.

The Orlando Magic have a lot to do this summer to improve their roster. But no decision may be as important as the decision in the front office and finding a new leader for their basketball operations.

There was a flurry of reports coming out this weekend as the first round ended and the first batch of potential candidates were freed from their seasons.

All the rumors were looking at some pretty big names — focusing mostly on Cleveland Cavaliers general manager David Griffin, but floating also to some pretty big names like Kevin McHale and Larry Bird. The team seems focused on bringing in a certain type of executive — one with experience and gravitas around the league.

Whether those are the names the Magic will ultimately pursue or hire is another question. There is still a lot to sort through in the search, and not all of it is public.

But it is getting to be crunch time for the Magic. The NBA Draft Combine is coming up next week. The NBA Draft Lottery is not too far after. And the NBA Draft follows that.

The Magic surely would like a new president of basketball operations or general manager in place before the Draft kicks into really high gear, considering all the moving and shaking that occurs on draft night. Orlando needs a clear plan before it enters this critical phase to the offseason.

And so the search continues. The timeline to make a decision is creeping closer. And the Magic are seemingly still figuring out its next step in getting interviews and paring down its list. It is time to get more serious about the GM search.

So with the information we have, what are the Magic looking for in a new general manager or president of basketball operations? What direction is the team trying to head? How will the organizational structure change? And, most importantly, what will this new head have to work with when he comes in?

These are all big questions the team needs to answer as the front office search enters this critical phase. And while much of the discussion will remain behind closed doors at the Amway Center, there are still some conclusions we can make.

To help sort through everything going on in the Magic’s front office search to this date, we got back in touch with our pal Keith Smith of RealGM. In this episode of the podcast, we discussed the state of the Magic’s GM search, what the Magic appear to be looking for and what he will have to work with when he finally takes over.

On This Episode

  • Alex Martins’ role in the general manager search and in basketball operations
  • The role for stars in being an executive and the effect with David Griffin and the Cleveland Cavaliers
  • How realistic is the Magic’s chance to get Griffin?
  • Discussing the names that have leaked so far in the GM search
  • The mindset and task in place immediately for a new GM
  • What will Matt Lloyd’s role be in the Magic’s future?
  • What are the qualities the Magic are looking for in a new GM?
  • The clout of some of the big names the Magic appear to be chasing
  • What is the Magic’s cap situation entering the summer?
  • How quickly could the Magic move on Griffin and what does that timeline look like?
  • How does this change the situation in Aaron Gordon‘s contract negotiations?
  • Remembering Paul Pierce‘s career
  • #OneLotteryPerDay results

Be sure to follow Keith Smith and all his writing for RealGM, FanRag Sports, 16 Wins A Ring and CelticsBlog. Also, follow him on Twitter @KeithSmithNBA.

Next: Orlando Magic need to get serious about their GM search

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