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Spurs Rumors: Magic to interview Ime Udoka for head coach

By Rob Wolkenbrod
OAKLAND, CA - APRIL 14: Assistant Coach Ime Udoka of the San Antonio Spurs coaches during the game against the Golden State Warriors in Game One of Round One during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 14, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - APRIL 14: Assistant Coach Ime Udoka of the San Antonio Spurs coaches during the game against the Golden State Warriors in Game One of Round One during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 14, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Ime Udoka will reportedly interview with the Orlando Magic, who have a vacant head coach position.

According to Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel, the Orlando Magic will interview San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Ime Udoka for their vacant head coach position. A date was not specified, but it will happen “soon.” The Magic fired head coach Frank Vogel after the 2017-18 season ended.

This report comes one week after ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said Udoka will interview with the Charlotte Hornets, who also fired head coach Steve Clifford after the season ended.

Udoka is not the only Spurs assistant to join the head-coaching rumors, as Ettore Messina interviewed for the Hornets job, per Wojnarowski. James Borrego, who sat down for multiple interviews, is not far behind them, either.

Udoka joined the Spurs as an assistant for the 2012-13 season, becoming part of the staff that won the 2014 NBA Finals. Before that, he played for the Silver and Black from 2007-09 and 2010-11, so the 40 year old has been part of this organization for roughly the past decade.

San Antonio can potentially lose three assistants this offseason. If so, it would slide Becky Hammon up the assistant line to Gregg Popovich and lead to new faces on the bench next season. Mike Budenholzer could be a candidate if he does not find a head-coaching gig, given his ties to Popovich as an assistant, but that’s only speculation.

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If anyone leaves Popovich’s side, though, it could be the first of multiple personnel changes this offseason, ones that carry onto the team’s roster. Most of that surrounds Kawhi Leonard, whose future with the Spurs is in doubt. Tony Parker is a free agent; Rudy Gay, Danny Green and Joffrey Lauvergne all have opt-out clauses this summer; Bryn Forbes, Kyle Anderson and Davis Bertans can all become restricted free agents, as well. How much turnover will there be?

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