Donovan emerges as leading candidate for Orlando job

Billy Donovan has quickly risen to the top of Orlando’s coaching search, with multiple league sources indicating he is the strongest candidate to succeed Jamahl Mosley. According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, Donovan has already engaged in substantive discussions with team president Jeff Weltman, and an in‑person meeting is expected soon.

While Fischer cautioned that NBA dynamics can shift rapidly, he noted that executives across the league believe Donovan holds a significant advantage in the process. Jeff Van Gundy, currently an assistant with the Los Angeles Clippers and connected to the franchise through his brother Stan, is also under consideration, but Donovan’s profile appears more aligned with Orlando’s ambitions. After stepping down from Chicago in April following six seasons, Donovan brings a reputation for player development and structured offense, shaped by two NCAA titles at Florida and a successful run with Oklahoma City. His philosophy fits a young, rising Magic roster built around Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane.