Penny Hardaway emerges as serious candidate for Magic job

The Magic interviewed University of Memphis coach Penny Hardaway for their head-coaching position, with Hardaway now emerging as a serious candidate for the job, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

Hardaway, who played six seasons with Orlando from 1993-99, has coached at the University of Memphis for the past three years. He’s considered to be one of the top guards in Magic history, making the All-Star team four times during his tenure with the franchise.

Steve Clifford and the Magic parted ways earlier this month after finishing the season 21-51, good for the third-worst record in the NBA. Orlando has missed the playoffs in seven of its last 10 seasons and is currently in a rebuilding phase.

Along with Hardaway, Orlando has requested to interview Suns assistant Willie Green and Bucks assistant Charles Lee, according to The Athletic’s Josh Robbins.

The Magic have already interviewed Spurs assistant Becky Hammon and are expected to interview current assistants Tyrone Corbin, Pat Delany and Steve Hetzel, along with Nuggets assistant Wes Unseld Jr. Marc Stein of The New York Times also reported (via Twitter) that Orlando has requested to interview Mavericks assistant Jamahl Mosley.