Dallas Mavericks assistant Jamal Mosley has agreed to a four-year contract to become the new head coach of the Orlando Magic, sources told ESPN.
The Magic replaces Steve Clifford, who parted ways with the team last month. Orlando had the playoffs in successive years before they traded Nikola Vucevic (Chicago) and Evan Fournier (Boston) this season, they went into rebuilding mode.
The magic quest process has been narrowed down to two candidates; Mosley and Denver assistant Wes Unseld Jr., who has also emerged as one of the leading candidates for the vacancy on the Washington Wizards.
Mosley’s role with the Mavericks over the past seven years has notably included his close association and influential work with the NBA point guard, Luka Doncic. After Moseley replaced Rick Carlisle in quarantine for the Mavericks win over the Knicks at Madison Square Garden in April, Doncic told Moseley reporters, “He has enough for a head coach.”
Mosley, 42, has spent the past seven years with the Mavericks under Carlisle. He also served on the Cleveland Cavaliers (2010-2014) and the Denver Nuggets (2005-2010). Moseley’s offensive philosophy was shaped by two Hall of Fame-level coaches: Carlisle and George Carle.
In addition to their 2021 Deep Draft lottery picks, Magic has a pool of young players that include recent first round picks. Cole AnthonyAnd the Shuma OkekeAnd the in Pampa s Wendell Carter Jr..
The Magic can have a maximum of $30 million with room to spend at a free agency.
Magic is also hoping to recover two starters from end-of-season injuries: the shooting guard. Markel Fultz and the eaves Jonathan Isaac.