The Orlando Magic may be getting close to filling their head-coaching vacancy with a notoriously demanding, old-school hard-liner - just not the one many anticipated.
While they've long been rumored to be waiting out Tom Thibodeau's situation in Chicago, the Magic appear ready to move on without the reportedly outgoing Bulls bench boss, and are poised to begin negotiations with Scott Skiles, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports:
Magic general manager Rob Hennigan has discussed the opening with several possible candidates, but Skiles has clearly separated himself in the process, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
Although Orlando has thus far shown no inclination to rush into a hiring, discussions could soon advance into contract negotiations, league sources said.
Skiles spent the majority of his playing career in Orlando, running the point for the Magic from 1989-94, and is said to be a favorite of the team's ownership, as well as Hennigan.
The biggest reason the Magic appear to be giving up the Thibodeau chase is that they're unwilling to offer the compensatory draft pick Bulls management is reportedly seeking in exchange for their coach.
Skiles is a reasonable Thibodeau facsimile, sharing qualities both good - a proven track record of crafting great defenses - and not so good - a reputation for riding his players hard, showing a lack of trust in rookies, and ultimately losing the locker room.
Whatever his shortcomings, Skiles ticks off the boxes Hennigan reportedly drew up for his coaching search, which, according to Wojnarowski, include winning experience as a head coach and the ability to improve the Magic's defense and accountability.
The Magic fired Jacque Vaughn midway through the 2014-15 season, after two-and-a-half years on the bench, for overseeing a stagnant young roster that failed to develop at a rate the team's front office deemed acceptable.
In coaching stops with the Bulls, Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks, Skiles showed the ability to bring rebuilding teams along, amassing a record of 443-433 in parts of 13 seasons.
He last coached during the 2012-13 season, when he stepped down from his post with the Bucks after 32 games.
