A New Regime: Orlando Magic

A New Day is upon Orlando Magic fans as ownership has hired Rob Hennigan as their new GM.  Rob is only 30 years old, making him the youngest GM in the NBA.  He forgoes his duties from Oklahoma City Thunder as Player Personnel and Operations Manager under GM Sam Presti. He started off as a Interim of the San Antonio Spurs in 2004 and was named Director of Basketball Operations in 2007.  His resume is quite impressive at his age, as Alex Martins pointed out in the Press Conference this past Thursday.  Listening to him speak, he’s saying all the right words and must have impressed the DeVos family enough to beat out Dennis Lindsey and Jeff Bower.  His statement ”Simply put, our goal is to build an elite basketball operation both on the court and off the court,’’ Hennigan said. ``If we can stay strategic and stay systematic the end goal is to be sustainable. We want to create something that has some longevity and continuity to it,” was heard loud and clear by Magic fans.  Here’s the path that is ahead of him.

1. The Draft:

The Magic possess the 19th and 49th picks of the NBA draft and this is Hennigan’s calling card, recent picks that he consulted with the Thunder choosing Ibaka, Westbrook(2008), Harden(2009), Aldrich(2010), and R. Jackson(2011) in past drafts. Mock drafts have Magic all over the place, going from Moe Harkless, Andrew Nicholson, Kendall Marshall, Jared Sullinger, Tony Wroten, Marquis Teague, and Quincy Miller to name a few. This was a weakness with the previous Basketball Operations staff, and there is plenty of talent available. Hennigan pointed out this is a vital way to build a team in his press conference.

2. Free Agency:

Jameer Nelson has a opt-out clause in his contract, and received an extension on his decision. As of right now, our remaining point guards are Chris Duhon and Ish Smith, so we must sign Nelson back or look to replace this position in the draft. The free agents, which include Lou Williams, Andre Miller and Steve Nash are available. The Most Improved Player Ryan Anderson is a restricted free agent and would be able to leave the team unless the price is right and Hennigan and staff are willing to match the offers that comes his way.


3. Dwight Howard: 


Browsing over some forums, Hennigan’s regime will be forever known as the person who kept Dwight Howard or traded Howard and started his own path. Either way, Magic fans label his episode “The Indecision” that includes the young star wavering back and forth with continuing his career in Orlando. Listening to the press conference, Martins is trying to avoid another episode, and will get a answer out of him if he wants to leave or not, and will turn to Hennigan to find the best package available if the superstar wants to leave Orlando, or sell him on his vision for the team, and make Howard realize that in 2013, Orlando will have cap room to get him some help.

Alex Martins is putting a lot of work on Hennigan’s plate, and he seems like a solid hire. This will take some time, and there will a lot of activity come draft night for all franchises.  Magic Nation shall see what the 30 year old has in stored for the Magic franchise, buckle up.