The Orlando Magic are reportedly closing in on former Dallas Mavericks assistant Jamahl Mosley, who has emerged as the strong frontrunner for the head coaching job.
The Orlando Magic were in need of a new head coach after the organization parted ways with Steve Clifford at the conclusion of the regular-season. Just hours before the tipoff of Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Thursday, the Magic have reportedly found their guy.
According to ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, the Magic are closing in on former Dallas Mavericks assistant Jamahl Mosley and he has emerged as the frontrunner for the head coaching vacancy. Wojnarowski’s sources tell him that Mosley “has separated himself in the organization’s process.”
Magic closing in on former Mavericks assistant Jamahl Mosley as next head coach
Mosley worked under Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle from 2014 until the team’s first-round elimination by the Los Angeles Clippers. As an assistant, Mosley had a strong relationship with Mavericks star Luka Doncic. In fact, Doncic said Mosley’s “got the things that are needed for a head coach,” after he filled in for Carlisle in the team’s regular-season win against the New York Knicks this year.
After Carlisle stepped down as head coach, Mosley was a potential candidate for the job. However, the organization opted to hire former Brooklyn Nets head coach and Los Angeles Lakers assistant Jason Kidd as Carlisle’s replacement.
Earlier this week, Mosley was named a finalist for the Washington Wizards’ head coaching vacancy, per Wojnarowski.
The Magic are undergoing a rebuild, which was solidified after the team traded Nikola Vucevic to the Chicago Bulls, Evan Fournier to the Boston Celtics and Aaron Gordon to the Denver Nuggets at the deadline. They wanted to find the right head coach to steer the team into contending down the road. The Magic feel that Mosley is their guy, as they try to work out the details on an agreement.