Former Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan has an “wonderful shot” at changing into the following head coach of the Orlando Magic, based on NBA insider Jake Fischer of The Stein Line on Tuesday.
Fischer reported that league insiders more and more imagine Donovan is a number one candidate for the opening after Jamahl Mosley departed Orlando to become the new head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans. Fischer added that Donovan is already in discussions with Magic president Jeff Weltman and is predicted to fulfill with him in individual quickly.
“Whereas I all the time hesitate to border any potential rent as the favourite for a job, since NBA issues may be so fluid, teaching insiders throughout the league’s panorama are very a lot working underneath the idea that former Bulls coach Billy Donovan has a wonderful shot at touchdown the submit,” Fischer wrote.
The Magic are also considering Los Angeles Clippers assistant Jeff Van Gundy, based on the report. Van Gundy has rebuilt his teaching profile as a defensive specialist underneath Tyronn Lue and has household ties to the group by way of former Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy.
Donovan stepped down as Bulls coach on April 21 after six seasons in Chicago. Throughout his NBA teaching profession, he has additionally led the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder and compiled a status for participant growth and offensive construction after a extremely profitable faculty run at Florida.
His résumé consists of two NCAA championships at Florida and a number of playoff appearances within the NBA. Donovan coached the Thunder from 2015 to 2020 earlier than taking up the Bulls in 2020.
The Orlando opening presents an intriguing scenario as a result of the roster is already constructed round younger, established expertise. Paolo Banchero averaged 22.2 factors, 8.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists in the course of the 2025-26 season, whereas Franz Wagner added 20.6 factors per sport regardless of showing in solely 34 contests.
The Magic additionally acquired a significant scoring raise from Desmond Bane, who averaged 20.1 factors and shot 39.1% from 3-point vary throughout all 82 video games. Orlando completed 45-37 and reached the Play-In Event earlier than losing to the top-seeded Detroit Pistons in seven games during the first round.
That core might enchantment to Donovan, whose groups have traditionally emphasised ball motion, guard play and half-court execution. Orlando already has a number of versatile defenders in Anthony Black, Jalen Suggs and Wendell Carter Jr., giving the roster flexibility on each ends of the ground.
The Magic now face a pivotal offseason choice as they try to keep up momentum in an Japanese Convention that continues to deepen behind groups such because the Detroit Pistons, Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks.
