NBA

Orlando Magic considering Kevin McHale for team president

Sam Amick
USA TODAY Sports
Houston Rockets head coach Kevin McHale shouts at an official after a play during the fourth quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Toyota Center.

The Orlando Magic have serious interest in Hall of Famer and TNT analyst Kevin McHale for their team president position, according to two people with knowledge of the situation. The people spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the situation publicly.

Since parting ways with former general manager Rob Hennigan on April 13, the Magic have begun to search for a team president and, potentially, a new general manager as well. Cleveland Cavaliers general manager David Griffin, who does not have a contract beyond this season, is known to be a frontrunner for the team president.

But McHale, who served as Minnesota Timberwolves vice president of basketball operations from 1995 to 2008 while also serving as the team’s head coach on two occasions, is known to be on the Magic’s short list as well. The Magic would strongly prefer someone who has previously been a general manager for the president position.

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Griffin’s candidacy appears to be playing a part in the methodical pace of the search, as he is not likely to speak with the Magic until the Cavaliers’ title pursuits are over – if at all. While the Magic have hired a search firm to help with the process, they have not yet spoken to candidates. What’s more, with Magic CEO Alex Martins leading the way in this process, it remains possible that interim general manager Matt Lloyd could be retained on a more permanent basis in that position.

Orlando, which hasn’t made the playoffs since 2012, finished 29-53 last season.

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Sam Amick on Twitter @Sam_Amick.