ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -The Orlando Magic are close to resolving their coaching fiasco by agreeing to a deal to dismiss Billy Donovan and hire Stan Van Gundy, according to reports Tuesday.
ESPN.com reported Donovan and the team were close to finalizing an agreement for his departure. Terms would prevent Donovan from coaching in the NBA for five years, sources told the outlet. The Orlando Sentinel reported that the Magic offered a contract to Van Gundy, a former Heat coach and current adviser to Pat Riley in Miami.
The Magic might have to compensate the Heat with money or a draft pick because Van Gundy is still under contract.
Orlando and Donovan are laboring to finalize their futures fast – Donovan to save his consensus No. 1 recruiting class at Florida, the Magic to save face.
Donovan stunned the hoops world by agreeing to a five-year, $27.5 million deal on Thursday. He met the media on Friday, and a day later told the club he wanted out of the contract.
Donovan previously declined an offer to coach Kentucky, where his career began as an assistant.
Van Gundy was Orlando’s second choice all along, but the Magic didn’t think he’d be needed after Thursday. He was also being courted by the Sacramento Kings, Charlotte Bobcats and Indiana Pacers. The Bobcats and Pacers have hired coaches, but the Kings’ continued search worried Orlando.
Van Gundy coached the Heat just over two years before resigning last season, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family. Riley took over 21 games in and led the team to its first championship.
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