Head coach Doc Rivers Record 41–41 (.500) Television Sunshine Network, WBRW | Arena Orlando Arena Playoff finish DNQ | |
Place Division: 4th (Atlantic)
Conference: 9th (Eastern) | ||
The 1999–2000 season was the 11th season of the Orlando Magic in the National Basketball Association (NBA). During the offseason, the Magic hired Doc Rivers as Head Coach while acquiring Tariq Abdul-Wahad from the Sacramento Kings, Chris Gatling from the Milwaukee Bucks, Ben Wallace from the Washington Wizards, Pat Garrity from the Phoenix Suns, and rookie Corey Maggette from the Seattle SuperSonics while signing free agents John Amaechi and Monty Williams. The Magic's transition continued at midseason, trading Abdul-Wahad and Gatling to the Denver Nuggets for Ron Mercer, Chauncey Billups and Johnny Taylor. However, Billups never played for the Magic due to an injury he sustained in Denver.
The Magic finished fourth in the Atlantic Division with a 41–41 record, falling just one game short of the playoffs by finishing ninth in the Eastern Conference. Darrell Armstrong led them in scoring averaging 16.2 points per game. Despite missing the playoffs, Rivers was named Coach of the Year. This season was characterized by the slogan "Heart and Hustle", as the team was known for its hard-working style.
Following the season, Wallace was traded along with Chucky Atkins to the Detroit Pistons, Billups signed as a free agent with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Mercer signed with the Chicago Bulls, Maggette was dealt to the Los Angeles Clippers, and Matt Harpring was sent to the Cleveland Cavaliers.