After acquiring Desmond Bane, the Orlando Magic entered the 2025-2026 season with extremely high hopes.
However, injuries to stars Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, including a postseason injury that Wagner suffered while the Magic had a 3-1 lead on the Detroit Pistons, helped cost them the series. The Magic’s disappointing season, playoff collapse, and third straight first-round exit led to the firing of head coach Jamahl Mosley.
On Friday, reports surfaced that the Magic would be replacing Mosley with top Spurs assistant Sean Sweeney.
NBA World Reacts to the Magic’s Hiring of Spurs Assistant Sean Sweeney
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported the news of Sweeney’s hire.
Charania says: “BREAKING: The Orlando Magic are finalizing the hire of San Antonio Spurs associate coach Sean Sweeney as the franchise’s new head coach, sources tell ESPN. Sweeney broke into NBA coaching in 2011 and now lands the Magic head job as a top rising candidate.”
The Magic parted ways with Mosley, who went 189-221 in four seasons as Magic coach, including a playoff record of 7-12. Mosley has since been named the Pelicans’ head coach.
Sweeney played point guard at Green Bay and St. Thomas (Minnesota) before going undrafted in 2006.
He began his coaching career with the Nets in 2011 as a video coordinator and became an assistant for the Pistons in 2018. He then joined the Mavericks in 2021, where he remained until he joined Mitch Johnson’s Spurs staff last summer.
The NBA world doesn’t always have the best reactions to new coaching hires, but they seem to be fans of the Magic’s decision.
Spurs Zone believes this is an excellent hire. “Not surprised,” Jeff G. wrote. “Sweeney earned this. Well deserved.”
Not surprised. Sweeney earned this. Well deserved #nba #porvida https://t.co/0hXdcvFniY
— JeffGSpursZone (@JeffGSpursZone) May 29, 2026
Cranjis McBasketball agreed. “Great grab by Orlando,” they wrote.
Great grab by Orlando https://t.co/TDmaFYMvLS
— Cranjis McBasketball (@Tim_NBA) May 29, 2026
Elias Schuster of Sports Illustrated is upset the Bulls don’t have a shot at Sweeney now. He also commented on the rumors that Bulls’ coach Billy Donovan was a candidate for the Magic job, but instead remains available.
Apart from the Bulls, the Dallas Mavericks were also reportedly interested in Sweeney. They let go of Jason Kidd after five seasons and a trip to the NBA Finals in 2024.
“There goes one of the Bulls’ top options,” said Schuster. “Bummer. Sweeney felt like a potentially great get. Also, Billy Donovan seemed like a potential option here. He stays available.”
There goes one of the Bulls’ top options. Bummer. Sweeney felt like a potentially great get.
Also, Billy Donovan seemed like a potential option here. He stays available. https://t.co/lnCxxvDwk0
— Elias Schuster (@Schuster_Elias) May 29, 2026
Ty Jäger believes the Magic will get back to playing excellent defense under Sweeney. “That Magic team gonna be scary if Sean is developing that defense,” they wrote.
That Magic team gonna be scary if Sean is developing that defense https://t.co/kNqxvET8tS
— Ty Jäger (@TheTyJager) May 29, 2026
StatEdge Report believes the Magic are trying to define their identity with this hire.
“Mid-season coaching moves like this are never just about one hire they’re about identity,” they said. “Orlando isn’t just adding a coach, they’re trying to define what their competitive timeline actually looks like over the next 2–3 years.”
Mid-season coaching moves like this are never just about one hire they’re about identity. Orlando isn’t just adding a coach, they’re trying to define what their competitive timeline actually looks like over the next 2–3 years. https://t.co/24tANeLBP8
— StatEdge Report (@statedgereport) May 29, 2026
Sam Gorovitz called it a “no brainer.” “This was a no brainer,” Gorovitz posted on X. “The only way forward was to reconstruct the defensive foundation.”
Some are a little worried about the timing. “Finalizing deals before the biggest game of his career,” Ahmed said.
Of course, taking the time out of his day to protect his future and get possibly the best job on the market isn’t something most would be criticized for.
Although it doesn’t seem like a major issue, with the Spurs set to take on the Thunder in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals, a spot in the Finals on the line, Saturday night, you can’t be too upset with Spurs fans for being a bit on edge.
Either way, this hire seems to be very popular among those around the league, and Magic fans must be happy to see that.
Of course, if the Magic can keep their team healthy next season and make a few upgrades here and there, having a new head man like Sweeney could move the Magic into true East contender status.
