Orlando to extend head coach Mosley

Jamahl Mosley made the Orlando Magic a contender. And the Magic want to see what the coach will do next.

Mosley and the playoffcontending Magic — on pace for their best season in 13 years — have agreed on an extension that keeps him under contract in Orlando through the 202728 season, the team announced Tuesday.

Mosley is in his third season with Orlando. This year’s team, with All-star second-year forward Paolo Banchero and rising star Franz Wagner leading a young core, began Tuesday atop the Southeast Division with a 37-28 record and solidly in position for what would be Orlando’s first playoff berth since 2020.

“Jamahl and his staff have done a tremendous job not only this season, but since we hired him back in 2021,” Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman said. “His preparation, work ethic, ability to connect with the players and passion he brings to the job every day brings positive results, both on the court and off. We are very happy to have Jamahl lead the Magic for years to come.”

The Magic contending might be viewed as a surprise in some NBA circles this season. But Mosley has insisted, publicly and privately, since even before the season started that this Orlando team would be different. And he was proven right.

“It goes to the character,” Mosley said in a recent interview with the Associated Press. “When you talk about character and care and guys that get along and care for each other and communicate with each other the right way, it has nothing to do with basketball. Nothing. There’s a chemistry and camaraderie about this group that no matter what’s happening, they’re with each other. That’s why I had that feeling.

“You have the care factor, the character, and then they started to believe it,” Mosley added. “When you put all those pieces together, they’re going to find a way to pull for each other.”

He inherited a team in a total rebuilding mode, going 22-60 in his first season. The Magic then got Banchero with the No. 1 overall pick in 2022 and improved by 12 wins last year, going 34-48.