Orlando Magic Hire Steve Clifford As Head Coach

No surprise here as Steve Clifford was a name mentioned from the very beginning with the Orlando Magic. The former Hornets coach agreed to a 4-year deal with the Magic, who will be trying to rebuild this summer. The biggest decision for the Magic will be whether or not they match whatever Aaron Gordon gets in free agency.

Clifford made the playoffs twice with the Hornets, but also had one of the more bad luck situations. The Hornets won just 36  games the last two years, but had a positive point differential. Clifford is known for being a tactical coach combined with a disciplinarian coming from the Stan Van Gundy coaching tree.

The Magic will be somewhat of a longer project. Right now they do have Jonathan Isaac, who spent the majority of his rookie year injured, possibly Aaron Gordon and the No. 6 pick in this year’s draft. However, there are some dead contracts that they’ll have to either move or wait out. They will be one of the more intriguing picks in the draft due to how much they need. They could go with someone like Sexton or Young or take a risk on someone like Porter. Clifford did miss 21 games last season due to health reasons.