HoopsHype.com Rumors

``It was just one of those things from (Howard) that I never did understand and I guess some things just aren’t meant for you to understand,’’ Nelson said. ``I just took the approach to play basketball wherever I was. I knew that I was still in Orlando last year for a reason and that the organization still wanted me here. Really, that helped me kind of get over all of the nonsense that was going around.’’ With Howard gone, with Stan Van Gundy having been fired and Otis Smith stepping down, in some ways it’s as if Nelson is one of the Magic’s lone links to the past. Heading into his ninth season, he is the longest-tenured Magic player on the roster. And even though his closest friend on the team (Howard), the coach who developed him into an all-star (Van Gundy) and the GM who pushed him to be a better leader (Smith) are all gone, Nelson would have it no other way than to remain in Orlando. NBA.com

Orlando Magic, Trade, Jameer Nelson, Dwight Howard, Otis Smith, Stan Van Gundy 

While the Los Angeles Lakers are on the verge of landing Dwight Howard, the Chicago Bulls were one of several teams that kept an ongoing dialogue with the Orlando Magic in regards to landing the superstar center, according to a league source. The Bulls, who had conversations regarding a potential deal with former Orlando GM Otis Smith, continued kicking the tires regarding a potential swap with new Magic GM Rob Hennigan after he was hired in late June. ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, Orlando Magic, Trade, Dwight Howard, Otis Smith, Rob Hennigan 

Evan Dunlap: Otis Smith tells @Brian Schmitz in _Dwightmare_ he felt other GMs disrespected him and tried to take advantage of him. Twitter

Otis Smith 

The Orlando Magic have narrowed their search for a new general manager to three finalists and haven't ruled out making two hires as they revamp their front office after the departure of GM Otis Smith and coach Stan Van Gundy, multiple league sources told CBSSports.com Tuesday. CBSSports.com

Orlando Magic, Otis Smith, Stan Van Gundy 

The Orlando Magic have narrowed their search for a new general manager to three finalists and haven't ruled out making two hires as they revamp their front office after the departure of GM Otis Smith and coach Stan Van Gundy, multiple league sources told CBSSports.com Tuesday. CBSSports.com

Orlando Magic, Otis Smith, Stan Van Gundy 

Josh Robbins: #Magic CEO Alex Martins appears to have finished his initial interviews with candidates to replace Otis Smith. Twitter

Orlando Magic, Otis Smith, Alex Martins 

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 

Tony Mejia: Martins just told Orlando media that Otis Smith held SVG in such high regard that he didn't want to continue without him. Strange exchange. Twitter

Orlando Magic, Coaching, Otis Smith, Stan Van Gundy 

Brian Schmitz: Van Gundy on Smith: "The Orlando Magic is losing one of the finest people in the NBA." Twitter

Orlando Magic, Otis Smith 

The Orlando Magic have fired coach Stan Van Gundy after five years as head coach and parted ways with Otis Smith after six years following a tumultuous 2011-2012 season. The team announced the moves in a statement on Monday. Orlando Magic Chief Executive Officer Alex Martins announced today that Stan Van Gundy has been relieved of his duties as head coach. In addition President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Otis Smith and the organization have mutually agreed to part ways. CBSSports.com

Orlando Magic, Coaching, Otis Smith, Stan Van Gundy 

Marc Stein: Playoff sweep of a different kind: Orlando Magic announce that both coach Stan Van Gundy and general manager Otis Smith are out Twitter

Orlando Magic, Coaching, Otis Smith, Stan Van Gundy 

Sam Amick: Van Gundy was fired, and Otis - who may have been fired anyway - had been telling people he might retire & appears to be walking away. Twitter

Orlando Magic, Otis Smith 

I think you'll see them let go GM Otis Smith and head coach Stan Van Gundy in the next few days. From what I can gather, they've already begun to kick start a search for a new GM. I think it's time for a major change in the front office, but I wonder if they'll be able to find a better coach than Van Gundy. I know he can grate on players, but given the wholesale changes coming in Orlando, he'll have a new group of players to grate on. ESPN.com

Orlando Magic, Coaching, Otis Smith, Stan Van Gundy 

I could see them hiring someone like former Knicks GM Donnie Walsh or Pacers GM David Morway there. As for Dwight Howard, I think everyone realizes he's gone sooner or later and the focus will be on how to best rebuild the team. ESPN.com

Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard, Donnie Walsh, Otis Smith, David Morway 

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 

Martins and Chairman Dan DeVos have said team officials evaluate the performance of the basketball-operations department and other areas within the organization after every season. But the status of Otis Smith, the team’s president of basketball operations and general manager, and coach Stan Van Gundy are in doubt. Smith reportedly will meet with team officials Wednesday. Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Otis Smith, Alex Martins 

Smith has told the Sentinel he was not sure whether he wants to return for the 2012-13 season, the final season of his contract. Smith did not return a phone call from the Sentinel on Tuesday. Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Otis Smith, Alex Martins 

The Magic started zeroing in on possible replacements during the season and league sources believe Smith will be let go in the coming weeks. David Morway, Kevin Pritchard, Jeff Bower, David Griffin, Tony Ronzone and Larry Harris have been mentioned as potential candidates. HoopsWorld

Orlando Magic, Otis Smith 

Brian Schmitz: I expect Magic to fire Stan Van Gundy and Otis Smith next week. They need to act. Other teams have had head start on coach, GM searches. Twitter

Orlando Magic, Coaching, Otis Smith, Stan Van Gundy 

Adonal Foyle: Further Otis is my friend and mentor and I would never disrespect him in this manner. As Dir. of Player Dev - I have lots of work to do yet. Twitter

Orlando Magic, Adonal Foyle, Otis Smith