In the News

Magic fire coach Stan Van Gundy; GM also gone (Yahoo! Sports)
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) The Magic fired coach Stan Van Gundy and split with general manager Otis Smith on Monday, the culmination of a season in which Orlando was ensnared in a long-running soap opera with Dwight Howard and made another first-round playoff exit.

Magic part ways with Van Gundy and GM Smith
The Orlando Magic have parted ways with head coach Stan Van Gundy and general manager Otis Smith, the team announced in a statement Monday afternoon.

GM: Howard didn't seek firing of Van Gundy
Dwight Howard did not ask Magic general manager Otis Smith to fire coach Stan Van Gundy, Smith told ESPN's Lisa Salters on Saturday.

Howard did not ask Magic GM to fire Van Gundy
Dwight Howard did not ask Magic general manager Otis Smith to fire coach Stan Van Gundy, Smith told ESPN's Lisa Salters on Saturday.

Howard: No thoughts of potential trade
Magic center Dwight Howard may get a glimpse of his future team when Orlando hosts the Los Angeles Lakers. However, Magic general manager Otis Smith says he's in no hurry to move his star by the trade deadline.

Magic: Howard saga may last all season (AP)
Magic general manager Otis Smith said Wednesday the team's goal remains to keep Dwight Howard in a Magic uniform as long as they possibly can and that the trade talks "could go to the end of the season." Smith would not say whether trade talks for the center are off, but did say there was no deal in place.

Howard, GM haven't talked since request
Whether the Orlando Magic and Dwight Howard wind up parting ways remains to be seen, and Howard said Sunday that he is experiencing a new silence with Magic general manager Otis Smith.

Magic GM OK'd agent, not Howard, to speak to Nets
Dan Fegan, the agent for Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, dismissed reports that his client had illegal contact with the New Jersey Nets, saying that Howard asked for and received permission to explore potential trades.

Magic GM OK'd Howard's agent to speak to Nets
Dan Fegan, the agent for Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, dismissed reports that his client had illegal contact with the New Jersey Nets, saying that Howard asked for and received permission to explore potential trades.

Magic waive PG Jason Williams (AP)
The Orlando Magic have waived point guard Jason Williams. The team announced the move in a statement on Wednesday. Williams didn't make the trip for the Magic's road game against Indiana Wednesday night. Magic president of basketball operations Otis Smith told reporters after the morning shoot around that he didn't think Williams, who had slipped to the fourth point guard spot, was upset...

Orlando Magic consider making deal for Gilbert Arenas of Washington Wizards
Magic president Otis Smith says he has had talks this week with the Washington Wizards about acquiring troubled guard Gilbert Arenas.

Magic discussing dealing for Arenas (AP)
Orlando Magic president Otis Smith says he has had talks this week with the Washington Wizards about acquiring troubled guard Gilbert Arenas. Smith said Saturday he would rate the seriousness of the talks at an "eight out of 10" but that "nothing is imminent." He would not talk specifics of the potential deal.

Magic talking trade for Arenas
Orlando Magic president Otis Smith says he has had talks this week with the Washington Wizards about acquiring troubled guard Gilbert Arenas.

Magic president Smith tired of Heat talk (AP)
Orlando Magic president of basketball operations Otis Smith has a new title and a new office in a new arena -- easily the biggest offseason moves he made. Quite a contrast considering it was a wild summer for so many other NBA teams. Smith, formerly the general manager but still charged with overseeing the roster, is counting on improvement through continuity this season.

Magic match Bulls' offer sheet to retain Redick
Orlando Magic general manager Otis Smith said Friday that the team will retain J.J. Redick. The Magic matched a $19 million, three-year offer sheet that the Chicago Bulls made for Redick.

Orlando Magic match J.J. Redick 3-year offer sheet by Chicago Bulls
Orlando Magic general manager Otis Smith said Friday that the team will retain J.J. Redick.

Magic to consider matching Redick offer (AP)
Orlando Magic general manager Otis Smith plans to take "the full seven days" to decide whether to match an offer sheet the Chicago Bulls made for restricted free agent J.J. Redick. Smith said Saturday that Redick is a "part of our team" and Orlando would "like to keep him." The Bulls reportedly signed Redick to a $19 million, three-year offer sheet.

Magic GM Smith rips James' decision (AP)
A few welcoming shots at LeBron James is heating up the usually tame Sunshine State rivalry. Orlando Magic general manager Otis Smith said Friday he was surprised James went to Miami because he thought the two-time MVP was "more of a competitor." He said the "great ones" do it on their own and "usually stay in one location." It was rare public criticism from the...

Orlando Magic general manager Otis Smith 'thought LeBron James more of a competitor'
Magic general manager Otis Smith is adding a little more sizzle to the Sunshine State rivalry with some welcoming shots at LeBron James.

Magic GM: Another overhaul is unlikely
Magic general manager Otis Smith wanted to be clear: He's not looking to overhaul the roster again.

Orlando Magic GM not planning for another roster overhaul
Magic general manager Otis Smith wants to be clear: He's not looking to overhaul the roster again. Unless he does.

Magic GM says another overhaul unlikely (AP)
Magic general manager Otis Smith wants to be clear: He's not looking to overhaul the roster again. Unless he does. Smith said Monday he doesn't expect any major moves this offseason, even after failing to return to the NBA finals. He believes Orlando already has the roster to win its first championship.

Magic GM not afraid to take chances (AP)
Otis Smith pulls back on the accelerator and the motorcycle roars. The wind pushes against his face, any stresses fading in the rearview mirror. Nothing but the open road ahead. Riding motorcycles is a hobby of the Orlando Magic's general manager, a ritual of sorts when big decisions await. Sure, it's dangerous.

Orlando Magic see Jason Williams and Anthony Johnson as ample fill-ins for injured Jameer Nelson
While the Orlando Magic traded for a replacement when point guard Jameer Nelson went down last season, general manager Otis Smith said Wednesday he's not inclined to do so this time.

Report: Magic extend deals for Van Gundy, Smith
The Orlando Magic have extended the contracts of general manager Otis Smith and coach Stan Van Gundy, a person familiar with the negotiations said Monday. The person says the team picked up options that extend Van Gundy through the 2010-11 season and Smith through 2011-12. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deals have not been officially announced. The Orlando Sentinel first reported the extensions Monday.

New-look Magic begin training camp (AP)
Orlando general manager Otis Smith only had to look at the Eastern Conference championship banner that hangs above the team's practice facility if had any regrets about overhauling a roster that got the Magic to the NBA finals last season. Just another sign that Orlando wasn't good enough. Smith had a summer full of bold moves for a team fresh off a finals appearance -- moves that will...

Source: Magic extend Van Gundy, GM Smith (AP)
The Orlando Magic have extended the contracts of general manager Otis Smith and coach Stan Van Gundy, a person familiar with the negotiations said Monday. The person says the team picked up options that extend Van Gundy through the 2010-11 season and Smith through 2011-12. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deals have not been officially announced.

Report: Orlando Magic extend Stan Van Gundy, Otis Smith deals
The Magic have extended the contracts of general manager Otis Smith and coach Stan Van Gundy.

Magic sign Williams after not playing last year
The Orlando Magic have announced signing free agent guard Jason Williams. General Manager Otis Smith said Wednesday that Williams will provide depth and leadership to the team's backcourt. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. Williams retired in September 2008 after playing a season for the Miami Heat, where he average 8.8 points per game. He did not play the 2008-09 season. Williams was a first-round draft pick and seventh overall in 1998.

Jason Williams unretires, joins Magic (AP)
The Orlando Magic have announced signing free agent guard Jason Williams. General Manager Otis Smith said Wednesday that Williams will provide depth and leadership to the team's backcourt. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. Williams retired in September 2008 after playing a season for the Miami Heat, where he average 8.8 points per game.

Report: Pietrus to sign with Magic
The Orlando Magic will sign Mickael Pietrus to a multiyear deal, Florida Today reported on its Web site Tuesday. The deal is set to become official when the NBA's free-agent signing period opens Wednesday. Magic general manager Otis Smith confirmed the deal to the newspaper, and it's expected that Pietrus will immediately slide into the starting shooting guard spot with Orlando, which reached the Eastern Conference semifinals this past season.

Report: Magic to sign SG Pietrus (AP)
The Orlando Magic will sign Mickael Pietrus to a multiyear deal, Florida Today reported on its Web site Tuesday. The deal is set to become official when the NBA's free-agent signing period opens Wednesday. Magic general manager Otis Smith confirmed the deal to the newspaper, and it's expected that Pietrus will immediately slide into the starting shooting guard spot with Orlando, which reached the...

Magic give GM Smith multiyear extension
The Orlando Magic signed general manager Otis Smith to a multiyear contract extension. It was a reward for building a team that won the franchise's first division title in 12 years, and advanced in the playoffs for the first time since that last title. Terms were not disclosed. Smith was promoted to full GM in 2006, after sharing the title for a season with Dave Twardzik, who remained assistant general manager. The Magic also extended Twardzik's agreement, the team said Monday.

Magic extend contract of general manager Smith
The Orlando Magic signed general manager Otis Smith to a multiyear contract extension.

Magic sign GM Otis Smith to extension (AP)
The Orlando Magic signed general manager Otis Smith to a multiyear contract extension. It was a reward for building a team that won the franchise's first division title in 12 years, and advanced in the playoffs for the first time since that last title. Terms were not disclosed. Smith was promoted to full GM in 2006, after sharing the title for a season with Dave Twardzik, who remained assistant...

Redick asks about trade; Magic GM says not likely
J.J. Redick, sequestered on the Orlando bench for much of the season, has asked his agent, Arn Tellem, to inquire about a trade possibility. But Magic general manager Otis Smith said that right now, there is not much chance of that happening.

Magic release Torrell Martin
The Orlando Magic have released guard Torrell Martin, General Manager Otis Smith announced this afternoon. Martin appeared in two preseason games with Orlando, averaging 2.0 ppg. and 1.0 rpg. in 3.5 minpg.  The Magic’s roster now stands at 16 players. Orlando hosts Miami tomorrow (Oct. 12) at Amway Arena.