The Orlando Magic are searching for their next head coach to lead a roster that is ready to take the next step. 

Now, nearly three weeks after firing coach Jamahl Mosley following Orlando’s first-round playoff series loss to the Detroit Pistons, the vacancy has continued to give way to speculation about who will fill it.

Among the media, former Chicago Bulls/Oklahoma City Thunder coach Billy Donovan seems to be the favorite candidate. There has also been talk of Jeff Van Gundy, who has spent the last two seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers as an assistant under Tyronn Lue after nearly two decades away from coaching.

NBA insider Jake Fischer identified both Donovan and Van Gundy recently, but he also added another name to the candidacy list: San Antonio Spurs assistant coach, Sean Sweeney.

"In-demand Spurs assistant coach Sean Sweeney is another candidate expected to interview with the Magic, sources say, even though Sweeney is seeking his first head coaching post," Fischer wrote. "Sweeney's first formal conversation with Orlando might have to be conducted remotely given Sweeney's Western Conference finals duties with San Antonio."

The demand for Sweeney, 41, cannot be understated. The Magic, Bulls and now the Dallas Mavericks are in need of a new sideline leader after news dropped that the latter fired Jason Kidd on Tuesday after he held the post for five seasons.

Sweeney was on Kidd’s staff in Dallas before accepting the job to join Mitch Johnson’s staff in San Antonio ahead of the 2025-26 season, so his ties to the Mavericks may make the opening enticing for both parties. Nevertheless, the Magic should not be ruled out.

Though Sweeney would be a first-time head coach, he has been climbing the NBA ladder for a decade and a half. After starting as a video coordinator for the then-New Jersey Nets in 2011, Sweeney eventually worked as an assistant with the Milwaukee Bucks before moving on to join the Pistons under former Coach of the Year, Dwayne Casey.

Following his tenure in Detroit, Sweeney joined the Mavericks’ staff just as Mosley was departing Dallas to take the job with the Magic. After firing Mosley, Orlando President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman did not identify one particular trait or a certain level of experience he was looking for in the next coach, which makes Sweeney viable.

Currently, the Spurs hold a 1-0 lead over the Thunder in the Western Conference Finals, and Sweeney’s future likely will not be decided until the Spurs’ season is over, but the possibility of him taking over in Orlando is intriguing.

Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news!

It's completely free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.

Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!

For additional coverage, subscribe to our Full Court Magic Podcast!