Record 52–30 (.634) Start date 2007 | ||
Playoff finish East Semifinals(eliminated 1–4) Televisions Fox Sports Florida, Fox Sports Sun Similar 2007–08 Boston Celtics se, 2008–09 NBA season, 2004–05 NBA season, 2002–03 NBA season, 2000–01 NBA season | ||
The 2007–08 Orlando Magic season was their 19th season in the National Basketball Association.
Contents
Key dates
Offseason
Billy Donovan was signed as head coach of the Magic on June 1 agreeing to a 5-year, $27.5 million deal with the team., to replace recently fired Magic hed coach Brian Hill. Donovan had previously led the University of Florida basketball team to back to back NCAA National Championships in 2006 and 2007. One day later however, Donovan had second thoughts about becoming head coach of the Magic, and wished to be released from his contract to return to his former team, the Florida Gators Men's basketball team. On June 5, the Magic released Donovan from his 5-year contract, under the condition that he would not be allowed to sign as head coach of another NBA team for five years. One day later, the Magic signed Stan Van Gundy as head coach. The deal was reportedly for 4 years, $16 million.
The Magic made a splash in the free agent market by acquiring small forward Rashard Lewis on July 11. Lewis was re-signed to the Seattle SuperSonics for a six-year league maximum contract, then promptly traded to the Magic in a "sign and trade" for a second-round pick in the 2008 NBA draft. The Sonics earned a mid-level salary cap exemption in the trade. Lewis signed a six-year league-maximum contract believed to be worth over $110 million.
Then the Magic filled in a need and went after a big man after losing Darko Miličić, and signed Center Adonal Foyle who played for the Golden State Warriors and leads the Warriors in most blocks in team history.
The Magic also signed Polish center Marcin Gortat on July 17. They had acquired his NBA rights from the Phoenix Suns following the 2005 NBA draft.
The Magic got final approval for a new arena on July 26, 2007. It is expected to be completed in time for the 2010–11 NBA season.
Point guard Jameer Nelson's father, Floyd "Pete" Nelson, disappeared on August 30, and was found dead in the Delaware River in Wilmington, Delaware, on September 2. A Chester, Pennsylvania, tugboat repairman by trade, the elder Nelson's death was ruled an accident.
Draft picks
Orlando's selections from the 2007 NBA draft in New York City.
October
Record: 1–0 ; Home: 1–0 ; Road: 0–0
November
Record: 13–4 ; Home: 4–2 ; Road: 9–2
December
Record: 8–7 ; Home: 2–4 ; Road: 6–3
January
Record: 7–7 ; Home: 5–2 ; Road: 2–5
February
Record: 8–5 ; Home: 4–3 ; Road: 4–2
March
Record: 10–4 ; Home: 7–3 ; Road: 3–1
April
Record: 5–3; Home: 2–2; Road: 3–1
Regular season
*Total for entire season including previous team(s)
Awards and records
Dwight Howard was voted as starting center at the 2008 NBA All-Star Game in New Orleans, Louisiana, where the previous night, he won the 2008 Slam Dunk Contest.
Transactions
The Magic have been involved in the following transactions during the 2007–08 season.
Trades
In November 2007 the Magic traded Trevor Ariza to the Los Angeles Lakers for Maurice Evans and Brian Cook.