Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

Orlando Magic hire Tracy McGrady as Special Assistant to CEO Alex Martins

By Philip Rossman-Reich

SPRINGFIELD, MA - SEPTEMBER 08: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2017 enshrinee Tracy McGrady poses for a portrait at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on September 8, 2017 in Springfield, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
SPRINGFIELD, MA - SEPTEMBER 08: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2017 enshrinee Tracy McGrady poses for a portrait at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on September 8, 2017 in Springfield, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Orlando Magic are going with nostalgia, bringing Tracy McGrady back to the fold as a special advisor to team CEO Alex Martins.

The Orlando Magic announced they have hired former All-Star and Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Tracy McGrady as a special assistant to CEO Alex Martins. The news was first reported by Josh Robbins and Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel.

McGrady’s role will be a wide-ranging one. He will assist in promotion and community relations activities with the Orlando Magic’s G-League team, the Lakeland Magic. He also will be available to players and coaches on and off the court for whatever they need.

McGrady is the latest in a growing trend of former players taking on this advisory role and learning from team executives for, perhaps, a larger role in the future with the team’s decisionmaking.

To say the least, the Magic are excited to have one of their all-time great players back with the franchise.

"“Having Tracy McGrady, a perennial All-Star and a Hall-of-Famer, on our staff is tremendous for our entire organization,” Martins said in a press release. “Whether it will be on the court with the team or in the Central Florida community, Tracy’s knowledge, experience and stature will be an incredible asset for our players and our organization. We are extremely excited to bring him back home.”"

McGrady was born in Auburndale, Fla., about 50 miles away from Orlando and less than 20 miles away from Lakeland. This is truly a homecoming for him. Especially if he works significantly with growing the Lakeland Magic in their inaugural year.

McGrady built much of his Hall of Fame career in his four seasons with Orlando. He joined the Magic in 2000 as a free agent and averaged 28.1 points per game, 7.0 rebounds per game and 5.2 assists per game in four years. McGrady was a four-time All-Star in Orlando and then added two All-NBA First Team appearances in a Magic uniform.

McGrady is still the franchise leader in points per game and undoubtedly one of the four best players in franchise history. He is undoubtedly the next player the team will induct into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame, especially since he is around more now.

The Magic introduced McGrady to the fans in honor of his Basketball Hall of Fame induction at Thursday’s preseason game against the Dallas Mavericks to a loud ovation. McGrady remains a fan favorite. Having him around will certainly delight fans.

"“I am thrilled to be back where I truly made a name for myself — with the Orlando Magic,” McGrady said in a press release. “The DeVos family and the entire organization have always done everything in a first-class manner and I am excited to be able to help them with whatever they may need.”"

The Magic are certainly still sorting out the depth of McGrady’s role. It is hard to say what his main responsibilities will be or what influence he might have with on-court production.

Certainly having him around to talk to the Magic’s young players could help. Especially since Tracy McGrady was a long, sinewy forward much like Magic rookie Jonathan Isaac could be. There is definitely some knowledge McGrady can pass down.

There are several other former players who have taken on a similar advisory role — like Tayshaun Prince with the Memphis Grizzlies recently. His role may be one that evolves throughout the season and for as long as he is with the Magic.

Next: Tracy McGrady deserves his Hall of Fame honor

But McGrady is home and back with the franchise that helped launch him into stardom. Not to mention he will help do promotions for a team virtually in his hometown. That can only be a good thing.