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The Orlando Magic have a lot of vacancies they need to fill. They'll need to get a new head coach. They might soon need to find a new superstar center to replace if they're intent on dealing him. And on top of that they might need a general manager to fill in the blanks.
One of their first targets? Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak. Ken Berger of CBS Sports has more on this development.
Among the characteristics said to be most prized by Magic CEO Alex Martins is championship experience. So while there have been no public indications that Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak will be available or wants to leave Los Angeles, Kupchak is expected to be among the first wave of candidates the Magic pursue, one of the sources said.
In addition to reaching out to free-agent candidates, the team's list also will include executives who are under contract with other teams. Martins also is expected to begin contacting teams Friday to ask permission to interview such candidates, and Kupchak -- with multiple championships on his resume -- will be among the obvious targets, sources said.
Kupchak has one year left on his contract, and made it clear after the Lakers were ousted in the second round for the second consecutive year that there will be some changes in the organization. Hiring Kupchak is not without hurdles -- front-office sources find it difficult to imagine him leaving Southern California -- but if the opportunity is right, the changes Kupchak alluded to could involve him.
It's unlikely that Kupchak is ready to leave Los Angeles. Not while Kobe Bryant is still there and the allure of championships remains. And considering that Kupchak's first job might be dealing Dwight Howard, it's not likely to be a team to contend for titles down the line. But nevertheless, he's being targeted.
Talk about Kupchak and what he's done for the Lakers over at Silver Screen and Roll. Talk about Kupchak with Magic fans at Orlando Pinstriped Post.
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