Orlando Magic News and Notes: Orlando Magic to add Tyrone Corbin to staff

cliffordThe Orlando Magic’s coaching staff is slowly coming together. Steve Clifford will reportedly add Tyrone Corbin to the staff.

The Orlando Magic’s coaching staff is nearing its completion. While there is not an official “lead assistant” the team appears set to complete its staff with a coach with head coaching experience.

The team will hire Tyrone Corbin as an assistant coach, according to Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel.

Corbin has had two stints as a head coach in the NBA. His first came with the Utah Jazz from 2011-2015. He made the Playoffs just once in three full seasons, accumulating a 112-146 record. His Jazz team was swept from the Playoffs in the lockout-shortened 2012 season.

He also took over the Sacramento Kings in 2015, accumulating a 7-21 record. He has spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach with the Phoenix Suns.

Corbin did not have the best reputation as a head coach. His teams seemed to peter out and stall. They obviously did not make much of an impact. Then again, neither his situation in Utah nor Sacramento seemed ideal.

Once the hiring becomes official, it appears the Magic will have their coaching staff complete.

Robbins previous reported the Magic would add Mike Batiste, Pat Delany, Steve Hetzel and Bruce Kreutzer. They all previously worked with Steve Clifford when he was with the Charlotte Hornets. So Clifford should have plenty of comfort working with them. Clifford praised Kreutzer especially for helping the Hornets improve as a 3-point shooting team in an interview with Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel.

As the coaching staff gets more complete, Clifford is still reviewing the team’s previous season and evaluating the players. The Summer League roster too is still coming together.

But this major piece to the puzzle is slowly fitting into place.

Shelvin Mack‘s Deadline Day

Shelvin Mack signed a two-year, $12-million contract last year. The second year of that contract was only guaranteed for $1 million.

That guarantee date is quickly approaching.

Orlando has until Monday to decide whether it will retain Mack or not. If he remains on the roster, the team will owe him the full $6 million salary. If the team cuts him, the Magic would only owe him $1 million.

It was this condition that made him a potential trade piece on draft night. With no deal emerging, now the Magic have to decide whether they will keep the veteran on the roster. Whether they do or not could leave a big clue to the team’s free agency plans at the point guard position.

Mack was overall solid last year. He averaged 6.9 points per game and 3.9 assists per game while shooting a 48.8 percent effective field goal percentage. He came on much stronger at the end of the year and was a valuable contributor to the team through all the injuries the team faced. Certainly a steady hand.

But Orlando is also clearly in need of some refresh at point guard. And every little bit of money they can free up could help them sign someone this summer — although the Magic are likely only to have the mid-level exception available to them after signing Aaron Gordon.

Magic announce preseason schedule

Orlando Magic basketball is only three and a half short months away.

The team announced its preseason schedule earlier this week. The team will be back in action at the Amway Center on Oct. 5 against Brazil’s Flamengo. The Orlando Magic will start the preseason against the Philadelphia 76ers on Oct. 1.

Below is the full preseason schedule — so mark your calendars:

• Oct. 1 @ Philadelphia (7 p.m.)
• Oct. 5 vs. Flamengo (7 p.m.)
• Oct. 8 @ Miami (7:30 p.m.)
• Oct. 10 vs. Memphis (7 p.m.)
• Oct. 12 vs. San Antonio (7 p.m.)

The preseason will undoubtedly be intriguing for the Magic as Clifford debuts as the team’s coach. It will also be a chance to see how much Jonathan Isaac has progressed after Summer League. And, of course, the first chance to see Mohamed Bamba in a real Magic uniform. He should get plenty of challenges with Joel Embiid, Hassan Whiteside and Marc Gasol on the preseason slate (at least for now).

Bismack Biyombo receiving BET Award

Finally, Bismack Biyombo will be honored at Tuesday’s BET Awards.  Biyombo will receive the Global Good Award for his work in his home country and charitable giving around the world.

Biyombo typically spends his summer back in his home country of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He has founded a school there and also funds a scholarship to send students to American colleges with the hope they will return home and enrich the lives of others.

Biyombo was also honored for his charitable work by Harvard University.

Next: OMD Podcast: The Draftermath

Undoubtedly, Biyombo will continue to give back to his home country. He also reportedly will play for his country’s national team in the next window of FIBA World Cup qualifying.