The Orlando Magic just finished up one of the most disappointing seasons in recent memory. While many thought (including myself) that Orlando had a chance to make the playoffs, or at least improve substantially, the team sputtered to a 25-57 finish, good enough for the fifth worst record in the league. It’s not a fun time to be a Magic fan.
However, this past week offered a small ray of hope for the Magic: The Oklahoma City Thunder fired head coach Scott Brooks. So why does a team in the opposite conference firing a good-but-not-great coach hold any relevance to Orlando? Because it could be the key to signing Kevin Durant in 2016.
I swear I’m not crazy. Seriously. This could absolutely happen. Before you write me off, let’s go through a hypothetical but realistic scenario for the next year or so of the NBA:
– Durant is upset that the Thunder fire Brooks, the only coach that has lead the Thunder to success.
– The Magic hire Brooks.
– The Thunder don’t improve much through free agency, and hire an inexperienced coach to take the reins.
– The Magic win a top-three pick in the draft, selecting Karl-Anthony Towns. They sign meaningful veteran additions in free agency.
– Oklahoma City has a rough transitional season. The team doesn’t respond to the new coach, and lack of chemistry sinks the season. The Thunder make the playoffs as a low seed.
-Brooks and the Magic make great progress, as the team begins to form a concrete style of play. Orlando makes the playoffs as an eighth seed.
– The offseason arrives, and Durant is seriously considering leaving the Thunder. He soon gets a call from his old coach…
There is no reason this scenario can’t happen. First off, Brooks is clearly the frontrunner for the Orlando coaching gig. Magic GM Rob Hennigan was an assistant general manager for the Thunder while Brooks was coaching the team. Also, Brooks took the Thunder, an inexperienced team with young talent and a bright future, and turned them into a title contender. Who’s to say he can’t do the same for the Magic, who have basically the same characteristics?
Also, Durant would be stupid not to consider the Magic. Imagine a starting lineup featuring potential star scorer Victor Oladipo, underrated-but-amazing center Nik Vucevic, and all-around superstar Kevin Durant. And in the Eastern Conference! A team with that kind of offense, along with the right bench additions and a rim protector, could take down any opponent this side of the Mississippi.
I’m not saying that this is a done deal, or even likely. A typical NBA season is filled with so many surprises that it’s really hard to determine what the state of the league will be, but one thing is certain: Kevin Durant will be a free agent in 2016. And if Orlando hires Brooks, then the Magic have their ticket to the 2016 Kevin Durant World Tour no matter where he eventually signs.
Also, if you’re still skeptical, here’s a little bit of NBA history most people don’t remember: Tim Duncan was prepared to leave San Antonio in his prime to play for the Magic after the team’s pitch to him in free agency. Duncan has even said that he was very close to picking Orlando. It took a last-second change of heart to keep the Big Fundamental in Texas. Think about that for a moment. If Orlando almost stole an all-time great only a year removed from winning a ring, imagine how simple it would be to convince a ring-less Durant to come to the City Beautiful.