The Orlando Magic must think outside the box for their next coaching hire

The safe option is unappealing for Orlando, as it tries to contend.

Feb 10, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy walks on the court before the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

There’s plenty of directions the Orlando Magic could take for their new head coach opening and three of the biggest names — Jason Kidd, Billy Donovan and Jeff Van Gundy — are at best, decent options. Someone with real credibility needs to come in, but finding the right person to gel with this team will be no easy task.

JVG won as a senior consultant in Boston in 2024, and he’s also helped the Los Angeles Clippers as the lead assistant for the last two seasons. The Magic would have to see how the situation develops with the Portland Trail Blazers’ opening, since JVG is reportedly a finalist. Although, The Stein Line reported that he is on the “radar” for the Magic, too. 

But should he be? He has a sharp defensive mind, and has coached under the  pressure of expecting to be fired — until an improbable Finals run — but it takes more than knowing X-and-Os to have success in a locker room. If he ever treated a player like he did Fred Weis, it’s easy to see the rest of the team quitting on him quickly. Never forget how he didn’t play certain guys because of his ego.

The safest option of the three for Orlando is Billy Donovan, who hasn’t been a part of a winning series since 2015-16, which was his first year coaching in the NBA. He had some pretty good teams with Russell Westbrook and Paul George that folded early, but his squads weren’t that good in Chicago. His claim to fame is being a two-time collegiate champion with the Florida Gators.

Furthermore, there’s Kidd, who is another questionable character for someone who is supposed to be a leader. He could ruin a player with his coaching like he did Larry Sanders or fail to take over a front office. His teams didn't do anything until he spent time with generational great (Luka Dončić) and underachieved with another (Giannis Antetokounmpo).

Each of them have failed in previous stops while looking ordinary. It’s possible to have success, picking the coach who failed at multiple stops before delivering a championship, like Frank Vogel, yet it is uncommon. 

If they remain the best names, how about looking at some of the assistants who have never been promoted to head coach? Some of those include Sam Cassell, Micah Nori, Chris Quinn and Tiago Splitter, who may not return to Portland, but took over for the Blazers in 2025-26. They’ve been on the sidelines since 2009-10, 2014-15 and 2020-21, having picked up a lot, and developed their own ideas. 

Of these last four, Splitter is the most intriguing since he was thrust into his role because Chauncey Billups was charged with rigging poker games, and did a fine job given the circumstances, as the team had a prosperous trip through the Play-In Tournament for a playoff spot. He can do much better with job security and being in an environment that chose him. On top of that, it should be noted that Splitter’s Trail Blazers played respectably in a first-round defeat to the San Antonio Spurs, and he has credibility as being a former player who won a title in 2014.

 This hire, given the stakes, needs to be more than a gateway coach. Maybe the answer is not Splitter, but as this rate, the Magic should invest in someone who hasn't tainted their résumé.