HoopsHype.com Rumors

Josh Robbins: Martins has spoken with six candidates, but Martins has not submitted a list of finalists to the DeVos family yet. Twitter

Orlando Magic, Otis Smith, Alex Martins 

Josh Robbins: Since Martins hasn't submitted list of finalists to DeVos family, I'd be very surprised if Magic make a GM hire b4 Saturday Twitter

Orlando Magic, Alex Martins 

For the past few days, Phil Jackson was interested in the possibility of joining the Magic's front office. Then, late Thursday afternoon, Jackson bowed out. Magic CEO Alex Martins was formally presented on Wednesday with a scenario involving Jackson by Sam Vincent, who played for the Magic and Jackson. "It drew some interest from Phil," Vincent said. "But in the end, Phil decided to go with another opportunity." Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Phil Jackson, Alex Martins, Sam Vincent 

Jackson is apparently headed back to the NBA in some capacity, but he pulled out here before Martins had a chance to run it by owner Rich DeVos. Martins learned of Jackson's exit Thursday, but would not comment. "Not because of this specific situation, but because I have been consistent during the search that I won't comment on specific candidates," Martins said in an e-mail. "I stand by my statement that we will put a premium on searching for Championship experience in the positions within in our search." Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Phil Jackson, Alex Martins, Rich DeVos, Owners 

Ken Berger: Former Hornets GM Jeff Bower is interviewing today with CEO Alex Martins for the #Magic GM position. Twitter

Orlando Magic, Jeff Bower, Alex Martins 

Ken Berger: Martins is traveling to the interviews and is expected to meet with candidates involved in West finals during series. Twitter

Orlando Magic, Alex Martins 

Ken Berger: Spurs exec Dennis Lindsey and Thunder execs Troy Weaver and Rob Hennigan also are candidates. Twitter

Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, San Antonio Spurs, Dennis Lindsey, Troy Weaver, Alex Martins, Rob Hennigan 

According to sources, Orlando CEO Alex Martins will interview former New Orleans general manager Jeff Bower on Thursday. It is believed that Martins is traveling to visit with candidates as opposed to having them come to Orlando, and that meeting is likely in Bowers' New Orleans locale. SI.com

Orlando Magic, Jeff Bower, Alex Martins 

Jeff Van Gundy on Tuesday criticized the Orlando Magic for firing his older brother, Stan Van Gundy. Speaking on a teleconference with reporters to promote ESPN’s coverage of the Eastern Conference finals, Jeff Van Gundy was asked about recent comments he made in which he was critical of Magic CEO Alex Martins. “I know that in the three years before Stan came to Orlando, Dwight Howard had never had a winning record and he had never won a playoff game and he’d never been the Defensive Player of the Year,” Jeff responded. “He’d never been an All-NBA player. So I know all those things. “Listen, teams have the right to change coaches. . . . Every coach has been through it except for the very few lucky ones. But there is a manner in which you go about changing that shows you have a dignity and an integrity about you. Their callous disregard for what Stan helped them to do — winning more playoff series in his five years and they have had in the entire time they’ve been a franchise. Add into that that he’s my brother? Sure, it impacted my comments. Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Coaching, Dwight Howard, Stan Van Gundy, Alex Martins, Jeff Van Gundy 

"He said that my brother's the finest X's and O's coach that he's been around in his 25 years in the business. Listen, all you have done in your 25 years in the business is release press releases and run the business side," Jeff Van Gundy said. "You don't know if a ball is blown up or stuffed! You don't know if their pick and roll coverage on the side or high was right or wrong! Just say I have no knowledge about basketball." SB Nation

Orlando Magic, Coaching, Stan Van Gundy, Alex Martins, Jeff Van Gundy 

Magic CEO Alex Martins told the Orlando Sentinel on Thursday that he expects to begin interviewing candidates next week. Time is of the essence, because the Magic's new head of basketball operations will spearhead the search for a new head coach and because the NBA draft looms on June 28. Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Alex Martins 

Martins has identified championship experience as a "plus" for candidates, and CBSSports.com predicted that the Magic would seek to interview Mitch Kupchak, the current general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers. Other potential candidates include former Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks executive Donnie Walsh, former New Orleans Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower, Pacers General Manager David Morway, Pacers Director of Player Personnel Kevin Pritchard and Boston Celtics Assistant General Manager Ryan McDonough. Orlando Sentinel

Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Mitch Kupchak, Alex Martins 

Tommy Beer: JVG says Martins is "unprofessional" and that Magic are foolish to deny the role Dwight Howard played in Stan's firing Twitter

Orlando Magic, Coaching, Alex Martins, Jeff Van Gundy 

Tommy Beer: JVG says Alex Martins' compliments of SVG's coaching ability is "offensive," because Martins "knows nothing about basketball." Twitter

Orlando Magic, Coaching, Alex Martins, Jeff Van Gundy 

Shaq was on our Open Mike radio show a few weeks ago and was openly lobbying Magic GM Alex Martins for the job. “I would love to be the general manager of the Orlando Magic,” Shaq said. “Alex Martins, you’ve got my number. Call me!” Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Shaquille O'Neal, Alex Martins 

Orlando president Alex Martins was a member of the Magic organization when O'Neal was there as a player and has a solid relationship with him. ESPN.com

Orlando Magic, Shaquille O'Neal, Alex Martins 

“We are extremely honored and humbled that Amway Center has been named as the best sports facility in the nation for 2012,” said Magic CEO Alex Martins. “The judges have recognized that the facility has been designed and operated with the patron in mind first.” Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Alex Martins 

Royce Young: "Dwight did not want to be part of this decision, he didn't make this decision, he never asked me to make this decision>" -Alex Martins Twitter

Orlando Magic, Coaching, Dwight Howard, Stan Van Gundy, Alex Martins 

Royce Young: "Dwight Howard never asked me to fire Stan Van Gundy." -Alex Martins. So SVG was just making that stuff up, is what he's saying. Nice. Twitter

Orlando Magic, Coaching, Dwight Howard, Stan Van Gundy, Alex Martins 

Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins said Tuesday night that his evaluation process of the team’s basketball operations department is still ongoing. “No decisions have been reached,” Martins told the Orlando Sentinel via text message. Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Otis Smith, Alex Martins