Orlando Magic: It’s Time To Part Ways With GM Rob Hennigan
By Onie Dator
After another losing season, and still no clear direction, it’s time for the Orlando Magic to fire General Manager Rob Hennigan
A few days ago, an article from NBC Sports, came out stating that the Orlando Magic would consider firing General Manager Rob Hennigan at the end of the season.
"[via Marc Stein of ESPN (taken from the NBC article)]“The Orlando Magic are giving strong consideration to a big change in their front office, according to league sources.Sources told ESPN that Magic general manager Rob Hennigan’s job is under threat at season’s end in the wake of a fifth straight non-playoff season since he was hired.”"
And it’s probably time that the two parties moved on.
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Rob Hennigan was hired five years ago. He became the youngest NBA General Manager at the age of 30. He was highly regarded because of his ties with OKC Thunder GM, Sam Presti. Hennigan also represented a new wave of General Managers like Sam Hinkie and Daryl Morey, who integrated analytics and technology into the interpretation of the game.
He made bold moves as early as his first year like when he moved the Magic’s top player then, J.J. Redick to the Milwaukee Bucks and acquired a young guy named Tobias Harris, who turned out to be a really solid player for them. Nikola Vucevic became an NBA All-Star, a guy acquired from the Dwight Howard fiasco. Most importantly, the Magic became very interesting last season. It seemed like they were really on their way to becoming relevant again. Well, at least, that’s why I thought, anyway.
The Poor Decisions
Amidst the boldness of his decisions, he ended up making more poor decisions than good ones. He traded Tobias Harris to the Pistons after signing him to a modest long-term contract. In 2015, he traded Mo Harkless, for no one. This past summer he overpaid for Bismack Biyombo and Jeff Green. He, then, traded Vic Oladipo for Serge Ibaka on NBA Draft night. And finally, at the NBA Trade Deadline he moved Ibaka to the Raptors for Terrence Ross.
Hennigan also hired three head coaches (Jacque Vaughn, Scott Skiles and Frank Vogel) in five years. None of them had a chance for any sort of continuity.
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Drafting Issues
The Hennigan draft picks were not that bad. It just so happen that these guys have not become stars yet. Or worse, may not become stars at all. Oladipo (2013 draft pick) was traded away. Aaron Gordon and Elfrid Payton (2014 draft picks) have shown signs of possible stardom. Still, both are not there yet. Mario Hezonja (2015 draft pick) sits more than he plays.
As a GM of a bad team, it would really help a lot if your draft picks turn out to be star players, not young players with potential that may never be seen in this lifetime. Tough luck for Hennigan, he has a bunch of young guys with potential.
Time for a Change
And so, five years into Rob Hennigan’s tenure as the General Manager of the Orlando Magic, it would be best for both parties to call it a day already. Five straight losing seasons. Constant Changing of Coaches. Poor Drafting. Poor Free Agency Decisions. Trading away assets for nothing in return. Yes, it is time.
Is this the end of the line for Rob Hennigan? Of course not. He is only 35. He will get another crack at it somewhere, somehow. The five bad seasons in Orlando would, hopefully, be a learning experience for him.
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As for the Orlando Magic, for the sake of the loyal fans in Orlando, I hope they can turn it around sooner than later, even if this requires more real magic than anything else.