Orlando Magic general manager Rob Hennigan took a chance and developed a risky plan one year ago, a plan that has since severely backfired. Hennigan dreamed of turning a Magic franchise in the midst of rebuilding around with the snap of his fingers, and, entering the annual trade deadline, began contacting teams around the league with hopes of trading some of its young assets away.
Hennigan was partially successful in his mission, dealing away Tobias Harris and later shipping off Victor Oladipo in June. In those trades, Orlando would receive Brandon Jennings, Ersan Ilyasova, and Serge Ibaka. Jennings and Ilyasova would leave the team weeks after joining, leaving Serge Ibaka as the only remaining player the team traded for.
Hennigan and the Magic front office tried bouncing back in the offseason, signing players like Bismack Biyombo, Jodie Meeks, D.J. Augustin, Jeff Green and others to deals. They even went as far as hiring a new head coach, Frank Vogel, who guided the Pacers to the postseason several times in recent years. Their goal was clear: Construct a team that can compete in the East.
Their goal has failed.
Orlando currently holds a 20-36 record, ranked second to last in the Eastern Conference, and have begun discussing potential trades with opposing executives. Hennigan has faced mass criticism from Magic fans this season, raising speculation as to whether he may be fired from his position. According to Magic CEO Alex Martins, the team has no plans on evaluating Hennigan anytime soon, but rather when the season comes to a close.
“We don’t evaluate any of our individuals in midseason,” Martins said when asked by the Orlando Sentinel about Hennigan’s job security. “Traditionally, we do that in a very comprehensive fashion at the end of each season, and this season is no different.”
For Rob Hennigan, despite online rumors, his job security appears to be safe — for now.
With Orlando now privately acknowledging their plan of contending in the present day has failed, they are expected to be one of the more active teams around the association as next Thursday’s deadline comes.
Serge Ibaka and Nikola Vucevic appear to be two players garnering the most interest on the Magic, according to multiple reports.
