Interviews start long process

The Orlando Magic have started to interview candidates to head their basketball operations department, Magic CEO Alex Martins said Wednesday. But Martins cautioned that the hiring process could take a long time.

“As we’ve said from the outset, we don’t expect a quick decision or a quick resolution due to the fact that there are some executives involved in the playoffs that we’re interested in speaking to and most likely we will not be granted permission [to speak with them] until those teams have been eliminated from the playoffs,” Martins said.

“In light of that, we’re moving along well, and we’ve been going through our process. And we will not conclude it until we have the opportunity to speak to those individuals.”

Martins would not name the candidates who already have been interviewed.

But Martins did say the team currently intends to hire a president of basketball operations. That hire, in turn, will select a general manager.

On April 13, the Magic fired general manager Rob Hennigan and assistant general manager Scott Perry after five consecutive losing seasons without reaching the playoffs.

Matt Lloyd is working as the team’s acting general manager.

Former Boston Celtics star Kevin McHale is a candidate to lead the Magic’s basketball operations department.

Several reports have linked Cleveland Cavaliers GM David Griffin to the Magic’s job openings.