The field of candidates to lead the Orlando Magic's basketball operations department appears to have dropped from six people to five.
The Indiana Pacers likely will elevate Kevin Pritchard from his current job as their director of player personnel to general manager, Yahoo! Sports reported Friday night. The move has prompted Pritchard to withdraw from consideration in the Magic's search to replace Otis Smith.
Magic CEO Alex Martins has interviewed former New Orleans Hornets GM Jeff Bower for the job. Martins is believed to have interviewed San Antonio Spurs vice president/assistant GM Dennis Lindsey, Oklahoma City Thunder vice president/assistant GM Troy Weaver, Thunder assistant GM Rob Hennigan and former Memphis Grizzlies and Portland Trail Blazers executive Tom Penn.
From that quintet, two or three finalists â€" selected by Martins â€" will meet with the DeVos family, including the team's chairman, Dan DeVos, and the team's owner, Rich DeVos. The DeVoses will make the final hiring decision after they consult with Martins.
Finalists could meet with the DeVoses in the days after the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago concludes on Sunday.
In the meantime, Dave Twardzik, the Magic's assistant general manager, is leading the Magic's basketball operations department and is in Chicago.
The Magic parted ways with Smith and coach Stan Van Gundy on May 21.
Pritchard served as the Trail Blazers' general manager for three years, from 2007 to 2010, before the Pacers hired him about a year ago. Pritchard will continue to work under the Pacers' president, Larry Bird.
Pacers officials did not immediately respond to messages from the Orlando Sentinel on Friday night.
It's unclear how the Magic will structure their basketball operations department in the future. Indeed, the new hire could be named the team's "president of basketball operations," while one of his subordinates could hold the title of "general manager."
The department's new leader will be asked to spearhead the team's search for a new coach and is expected to take the lead role in overseeing the Dwight Howard situation. Although Howard has not said publicly want he wants for his long-term future, many people assume the All-NBA center wants a trade to the Brooklyn Nets.
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