Magic bring in three assistants, eye Black extension, set October preseason dates
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The Orlando Magic have expanded head coach Sean Sweeney’s staff, hiring Riley Crean, Mfon Udofia and DJ Bakker as assistant coaches, according to HoopsHype.
New faces on the bench
Crean, 27, arrives after serving as head video coordinator for the Dallas Mavericks, where he worked alongside Sweeney for three of the past four seasons. He is the son of longtime college coach and television analyst Tom Crean.
Udofia joins from the Brooklyn Nets’ G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets, where he became the franchise’s winningest coach. Internationally, he led Nigeria during the FIBA AfroBasket 2021 Qualifiers and was an assistant for the national team at the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
Bakker comes over from the Charlotte Hornets, where he was both an NBA assistant and head coach of the Greensboro Swarm in the G League. He previously held assistant roles in Milwaukee and Detroit, overlapping with Sweeney in both stops.
Offseason outlook
In a recent offseason preview, Spotrac contributor Keith Smith projected a quiet summer on the transaction front for Orlando, suggesting the club will focus on balancing its salary sheet while counting on improved health and the new coaching staff to push the current core deeper into the playoffs.
A key decision involves a possible rookie-scale extension for guard Anthony Black. Smith identified a four-year, $80 million package as a potential target figure, though Black could choose to play out his fourth season in search of a larger deal.
Preseason schedule takes shape
The Magic confirmed two home preseason games: the Cleveland Cavaliers will visit Amway Center on October 13, followed by the Miami Heat on October 16.
Wagner aims for better health
Forward Franz Wagner, who missed 48 games last season, recently discussed his injury problems and said he plans to adjust his regimen to avoid extended absences in 2026-27.
Source: HoopsRumors
