Report: Skiles, Thibodeau, Donovan to be candidates for Magic job
The Orlando Magic are interested in Scott Skiles, Tom Thibodeau and Billy Donovan as head coaching candidates, ESPN’s Marc Stein reports.
James Borrego replaced Jacque Vaughn on an interim basis in February, but Stein reports he is not expected to retain the job.
Skiles, who set the single-game assist record as a player with the Magic, has coached parts of 13 seasons in the league. He has compiled a 443–433 record with the Phoenix Suns, Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks. Stein reports the team has informally discussed the job with Skiles.
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Thibodeau is still the head coach of the Chicago Bulls, but he has reportedly clashed with management in recent seasons. He has drawn criticism for giving players too many minutes, while the team also imposed a 32-minute limit on Joakim Noah during the end of the regular season. Through five seasons in Chicago, Thibodeau has a 255–139 record.
Donovan accepted the Magic’s head coaching job in 2007, but days later he decided to return to the University of Florida. In 19 seasons as the head coach of the Gators, he has won two national titles and has a 467–186 record. Donovan is also reportedly a candidate to become the next head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder if Scott Brooks is fired.
The Magic finished 25–57 this season. They finished with the fifth-worst record in the league and have an 8.8% chance at the top pick in this year's draft.
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- Paul Palladino
