HoopsHype.com Rumors

SI.com: What about the Orlando situation? It was reported that you had interest there. Have you spoken to the Magic yet? Sloan: No, that's one thing about this. A lot of this is all speculation, and I don't like to deal with it that way. People call and say, "Well, your name might be mentioned." Well, it might be, but I have nothing to do with that. I don't have someone putting my name out there, and I'm not putting it out there. I guess they throw enough mud on the wall, but some of it fell off. SI.com

Orlando Magic, Coaching, Jerry Sloan 

A plugged-in league source tells SheridanHoops.com that the feeling is mutual, and Orlando is prepared to trade him sooner rather than later. The source said that when Magic team president traveled to Michigan last weekend to speak in person with owner Rich DeVos, the conclusion was reached that not only was it time for Stan Van Gundy and Otis Smith to go, but Howard, too. SheridanHoops

Orlando Magic, Trade, Dwight Howard 

Josh Robbins: Spoke to a few people. Everything I'm hearing is that the #Magic have not decided to trade Dwight Howard. . . . Twitter

Orlando Magic, Trade, Dwight Howard 

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 

Orlando Magic superstar Dwight Howard says he had NOTHING to do with the team's decision to fire head coach Stan Van Gundy ... telling TMZ, "I hate to see anyone lose their job." Howard -- who's still rehabbing from back surgery in L.A. -- was out in Beverly Hills this morning when we asked how he felt about his coach's recent termination. TMZ.com

Orlando Magic, Coaching, Dwight Howard, Stan Van Gundy 

"Me and Stan ... we had our ups and downs ... but for the most part we had one goal ... to win a championship in Orlando, but we fell short." When asked about speculation that he had a role in the decision to can Stan, Howard told us, "I'm glad [Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins] confirmed I had nothing to do with it." TMZ.com

Orlando Magic, Coaching, Dwight Howard, Stan Van Gundy 

The Orlando Magic will begin scheduling interviews for their general manager position Friday and hope to have an executive in place within three weeks, league sources told CBSSports.com. CBSSports.com

Orlando Magic 

The Magic also are interested in speaking with Pacers general manager David Morway and former Hornets GM Jeff Bower, both of whom have interviewed twice for the Trail Blazers' opening, and former Portland GM and current Pacers executive Kevin Pritchard, sources said. CBSSports.com

Orlando Magic, Kevin Pritchard, Jeff Bower, David Morway 

Among the characteristics said to be most prized by Magic CEO Alex Martins is championship experience. So while there have been no public indications that Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak will be available or wants to leave Los Angeles, Kupchak is expected to be among the first wave of candidates the Magic pursue, one of the sources said. CBSSports.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Mitch Kupchak 

Orlando will hire the GM first and the look for a coach who is one the same page with the GM. Among the early candidates that are expected to be in the mix for the coaching opening are Golden State assistant Michael Malone; Pacers assistant Brian Shaw; and the Bucks' Scott Skiles, who is beloved in Orlando and is said to be open to leaving Milwaukee after missing the playoffs for a second straight season. CBSSports.com

Orlando Magic, Coaching, Brian Shaw, Scott Skiles, Mike Malone 

It was a bad idea when we first heard about it. Then came the secondary spin that it’s not that the Orlando Magic wanted Shaquille O’Neal as their general manager, it was more he wanted the job but they were just being curtious. Now the idea is dead. Shaq released a statement denying interest: “When I first heard about the vacancy for the Orlando Magic general manager position, I was clearly intrigued. I was drafted by the Magic, I have a great love for the franchise, and I have made the city of Orlando my home. Additionally, I have great admiration and respect for the DeVos family. However, this is not a job I have an interest in pursuing. I feel very fortunate to be with TNT and to have the best job in sports. I look forward to many more years with Charles, Kenny and E.J. I wish the best for the Magic and I am confident that they will select a great GM and coach.” NBCSports.com

Orlando Magic, Shaquille O'Neal 

Shaquille O'Neal, who had expressed interest in becoming the new general manager of the Orlando Magic and had been asked by the team to interview, has declined the invitation. "When I first heard about the vacancy for the Orlando Magic general manager position, I was clearly intrigued," O'Neal said in a statement Thursday. "I was drafted by the Magic, I have a great love for the franchise, and I have made the city of Orlando my home. Additionally, I have great admiration and respect for the DeVos family. ESPN.com

Orlando Magic, Shaquille O'Neal 

I must admit, I’m not surprised by this development in the least. 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 

"However, this is not a job I have an interest in pursuing. I feel very fortunate to be with TNT and to have the best job in sports. I look forward to many more years with Charles (Barkley), Kenny (Smith) and E.J. (Ernie Johnson). I wish the best for the Magic and I am confident that they will select a great GM and coach." ESPN.com

Orlando Magic, Shaquille O'Neal 

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 

With Dwight Howard sidelined, do you feel like Spain is going to have the best inside game at the Olympics? Marc Gasol: At the end of the day, it's about finding a balance and playing together. We have to play defense, which is what then makes it easier for us to run and score. Who's the third favorite after the U.S. and Spain at the Games? MG: Argentina has to be up there. They have a terrific team. Better than France? MG: Yeah, France too. But the Argentines have played together for a long time. France has a lot of talent and a good mix of veterans and young guys. But Argentina... I've always loved how they play. HoopsHype

Memphis Grizzlies, Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard, USA Basketball, Spain, Argentina, France, Marc Gasol, Olympics 

The mere mention of Shaq, even if he turns out to be something more than a courtesy candidate, surely (and sadly) overshadows the most interesting part of Broussard's notebook-on-TV report, which revealed that the Magic's secret dream is trying to find a way to convince Doc Rivers to leave the Boston Celtics to come back to Central Florida. ESPN.com

Boston Celtics, Orlando Magic, Doc Rivers, Shaquille O'Neal, Coaching 

Now THAT makes sense. It's the longest of long shots with Doc only just finishing Year 1 of a new five-year, $35 million contract to coach the Celts, but Orlando's thinking there is steeped in sound logic. If they could somehow convince Rivers to rejoin the Magic -- even if Doc insisted on a management-only role -- Dwight would surely be wowed. And the number of true stars in the Magic Kingdom would instantly double. ESPN.com

Boston Celtics, Orlando Magic, Doc Rivers, Shaquille O'Neal, Coaching 

A blast from the Orlando Magic's past has emerged in the team's search for a new general manager -- Shaquille O'Neal. O'Neal, who began his legendary NBA career in Orlando, may meet with the Magic as soon as next week, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard. While he has no front office experience, the Magic believe O'Neal's presence within the organization could help them retain Dwight Howard. ESPN.com

Orlando Magic, Shaquille O'Neal