Orlando Magic officially announce Rob Hennigan as their new General Manager – NBA News
The Orlando Magic have been having a tough time lately, with a great deal of uncertainty surrounding the team and its future.
After falling out in the 1st round of the playoffs at the hands of the Indiana Pacers, the Magic fired coach Stan Van Gundy and General Manager Otis Smith. Their star centre Dwight Howard has signed a one year extension
with the team but his future also hangs in balance. Howard is yet to sign a contract extension with the team and there have been rumours that he is looking to be traded.
With so many issues to address, the Orlando Magic took the first step in the right direction when they announced their new General Manager Rob Hennigan, on Thursday. He will take over the seat of Otis Smith and try to turn around
the franchise which reached the NBA Finals in 2009 but has since crashed out in the first round of the playoffs.
"There's no question there's pressure. This is a pressure business and you've got to earn your keep, and nobody's going to try to do any favours for you. We're just going to keep our heads down and keep our sleeves rolled up and
get to work,” said Hennigan.
Hennigan entered the NBA in 2004 as part of the San Antonio Spurs and saw much success with that team. For the last two years, he has been serving in the capacity of assistant general manager at the Oklahoma City Thunder, who also
have had a turnaround in the past three seasons to become the Western Conference Champions this year.
At 30, Hennigan is the youngest general manager in the league but his recent success with the Spurs as well as the Thunder has earned him a good reputation in the league.
"His experience, and what he's done in the organizations that he's been with, far exceed his years, and clearly that's what's important. Age is not a factor; experience and who you've worked with and the habits that you've developed,
that's what's important in being successful in this role,” said Alex Martins, Chief Executive Officer of the Orlando Magic.
The first task that Hennigan will face will be the hiring of a new head coach for the team. The Magic reportedly wanted to wait for a new General Manager before they finalized a new head coach. Hennigan will simultaneously have
to concentrate on the upcoming NBA Draft as well as free agency beginning July 1st. But his most important assignment will be dealing with Dwight Howard, wither signing him to a contract extension or reaching a trade for him that benefits the Magic
team.
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