Orlando Magic: 5 candidates to replace Frank Vogel as head coach

2. David Blatt

David Blatt is a coaching name known around the world. To NBA fans, he was the coach brought in for LeBron James’ return to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014. He was successful in this role, finishing his tenure with an 83-40 record over a season and a half. Blatt also came away with a NBA Finals appearance.

However, clashes with LeBron and some trouble adjusting to the NBA game led him to be relieved of his duties halfway through the 2015-16 season.

In Europe, Blatt is known for so much more. Since 1993 he has coached in Israel, Russia, Italy and Turkey. He won at least one domestic title at each stop. In continental competitions, Blatt led Dynamo St. Petersburg to the 2005 FIBA EuroChallenge title. In 2014, he helped Maccabi Tel Aviv win the 2014 EuroLeague championship.

Blatt even added another trophy to his collection on Friday when his Darussafaka Istanbul club secured the 2018 EuroCup title. They swept Russian side Lokomotiv Kuban 2-0.

Now, Blatt is eyeing a return to the NBA. His name has come up for consideration for the newly-opened New York Knicks‘ vacancy. The Knicks parted ways with coach Jeff Hornacek on Friday. An ESPN report filed Friday by Adrian Wojnarowski and Ian Begley puts Blatt’s name into the pot alongside former Memphis Grizzlies coach David Fizdale and ESPN analyst/former coach/former Knick Mark Jackson.

While the sources may indicate that Blatt is leaning towards New York, the Magic should still make a play for him. Coming to Orlando would mean less media scrutiny for Blatt and the ability to develop a system without constant clashes with superstar or veteran egos. If Blatt is able to get his system going in the NBA the second time around, the Magic could be as formidable as the many teams he coached in Europe.