A little late, but getting it out there before they do hire someone.
https://fanspo.com/nba/s/general/p/lilIp0Ja88v4o2/my-nba-coach-candidate-tier-list-links
The Magic firing Jamahl Mosley should had been expected for the past few months or so after the deadline. After overexpectations in his third season going 47-35 and finishing 5th in the East, they appeared to be the new and upcoming faces of the Eastern Conference with Paolo Banchero coming off an All Star selection after his second season and Franz Wagner having a solid season, both looked to be going nowhere else but up. These last two seasons were both disappointments with Paolo never really taking that step up and Franz did look solid and well improved but struggled staying healthy. The Magic also banked a lot of money in this squad giving both Paolo and Franz along with Jalen Suggs and Wendell Carter extensions during those two year period expecting to bank on success and have a top 3 team in the Eastern Conference, along with trading five picks for Desmond Bane to add outside scoring which was an obvious weak spot for them. They will enter this year with a top 3 active contracts and will be over the first apron which is not great at all in hindsight. What I have mostly pointed out was GM struggles and you can claim none of this has to do with Mosley, and I would agree with you to an extent, but let's look at Paolo Banchero who has shown no growth and has not became that leader or top player we all expected him to be which falls on Mosley that maybe he wasn't able to coach him to his full potential. Also, three point shooting was a major concern heading into the season for a team who shot under 32% from three in 24-25 only went up by 2% and only had three players who made over 35% of their three points that attempted over 2 a game, compared to having five last season in which four of them are no longer on the team and the fifth only played 12 minutes a game in 36 games. The writing was on the wall and if they didn't beat Detroit then Mosley was obviously gone.
The Dream Hire
Billy Donovan, former Florida (1996-15), Oklahoma City Thunder (2015-20), and Chicago Bulls (2020-26) Head Coach
Some of y'all may know him as the head coach for the Thunder who coached MVP Russ and also KD and PG at one point. Many may know him as the Bulls head coach who always seemed like they were finally a playoff team but something always pulled them down by the end. I know/remember him as the head coach for the Florida Gators who always made a deep run in the tournament and coached tons of NBA talent. There is a reason why teams (both in college and the NBA) want him and it is because he is still a top coach in basketball and is able to make the littlest of things work for however long he can.
Coaches With Experience
Tom Thibodeau, former Chicago Bulls (2010-15) and New York Knicks (2020-25) Head Coach
I know Donovan is a former head coach, but he is seen to the point where it's his job to lose, as for Thibs, I don't see him being considered the top option by any team anymore. He is almost 70 and have been let go by all three teams he was employed as a head coach. The thing is is that his style of play has ran it's course in the NBA, nobody is running the majority of their starters 40 of the 48 minutes anymore and it's not unethical and there is nothing wrong with it, you just won't be able to build a strong depth and/or play them enough valuable minutes to warrant a contract more than 5 million.
Willie Green, former New Orleans Pelicans Head Coach (2021-25)
I have seen him being compared to Monty Williams after he was fired, a good coach in a bad organization being used as a scapegoat, and I see the comparisons but I also thought that Pelicans team has been constructed a lot better the past few years compared to Monty's AD Pelicans. Injuries was a major factor but I would rather see Willie go back somewhere as an assistant then throw his name back in the ring right away.
James Borrego, New Orleans Pelicans (Interim; 2025-26 season only)
We spoke about Willie, now let's talk about the guy who replaced him as the interim. I feel like Borrego proved my point that the team was not bad and was better constructed, it was just not enacted properly. Last season, this same team with mostly the same core went 21-61. This season, Borrego won 24 games in 70 of the games as interim with mostly the same core and two rookies and a guy who didn't play last season replacing Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum.
First Timers
Sean Sweeney, San Antonio Spurs (AHC; 2025-?)
It is looking more and more likely that he will be a Head Coach this season. If Donovan declines and Orlando goes the younger route, Sweeney might as well be the top option for the job.
Sam Cassell, Boston Celtics (assistant; 2023-?)
A very well known name and has been thrown around for HC jobs previously before, I don't see Orlando as a fit but he could quite possibly land here and bring in that Boston/San Antonio style to the Magic.
There is my list. Let me know your thoughts down in the comment section!