Orlando Magic Makes Coaching Changes After Playoff Exit

Big shifts are underway in Orlando.

Just a day after the eighth-seeded Magic were eliminated by the top-seeded Pistons in Game 7, the team made the decision to dismiss coach Jamal Mosley.

During his tenure, Mosley guided the team to a 45-37 record and managed to secure a playoff spot. Despite these numbers, there was a sense of disappointment given the high expectations set before the season began.

Orlando had high hopes going into the season, notably trading for winger Desmond Bane in a deal that involved four unprotected first-round picks, among other assets.

The timing of this announcement is somewhat unexpected—considering the Magic entered the series as underdogs yet put up a tough fight against the Pistons.

Bizarrely, the Magic appeared poised to win the series against Detroit, leading 3-1 after Game 4 and even holding a 22-point advantage at halftime during Game 6. Yet, they couldn’t close it out, losing that game 93-79 and subsequently the seventh game by a wide margin.

Magic president Jeff Weltman will spearhead the search for a new head coach, aiming to elevate star players like Paolo Banchero, Jalen Suggs, and Wendell Carter Jr. to the next level.

When asked about the team’s prospects for future success, Banchero’s response was frank, reflecting on three straight first-round exits. “I’d like to say yes, but I haven’t made it past the first round yet,” he mentioned to reporters. “We’ve had the same results for the past three years, so we can’t say we’re good enough to qualify for the finals or the Eastern finals.”

As for Mosley, he originally played at the University of Colorado and had a career overseas. Although he’s no longer coaching the team, he’ll still be compensated by the Magic through the 2027-28 season due to the extension he signed in 2024.