The Orlando Magic are on the hunt for a new head coach, and the buzz around the league is already building. Team president Jeff Weltman hasn't laid out a detailed wish list for the next sideline leader, but he did confirm that the franchise has already heard from "a great number of candidates." That's no surprise, given the young, electrifying talent on the roster—headlined by Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs.

Despite that promise, the Magic have hit a wall in the playoffs, suffering three straight first-round exits. That frustrating pattern led Weltman to part ways with Jamahl Mosley earlier this week after five seasons at the helm. "One of the things you have to assess is whether your job is attractive," Weltman said Monday. "I do think our job is attractive. People look at us as a young, growing, forward-moving team with talent, chemistry, and a defensive backbone. I hope that's the case—I think it is."

With that in mind, the coaching search is already generating plenty of speculation. Here are some of the top names to watch in Orlando's quest for a new leader:

Billy Donovan
If there's one candidate generating the most buzz, it's Donovan. The former Florida Gators legend recently stepped down after six seasons in Chicago, where he consistently maximized a limited roster. At 60 years old, Donovan boasts a 469-413 NBA coaching record and has deep postseason experience—his Thunder teams made the playoffs every year from 2015 to 2020. He's widely respected around the league, and his history with the Magic is intriguing: he famously accepted the Orlando job in 2007 before returning to Gainesville. Could this be the moment he finally takes the reins?

Tom Thibodeau
The veteran coach, known for his defensive intensity, has been out of work since the Knicks fired him after last year's trip to the Eastern Conference Finals. At 68, Thibodeau is reportedly "very interested in a comeback," according to Sam Amick of The Athletic. He's believed to be eyeing the Magic job, and his reputation for building tough, defensive-minded teams could be a perfect fit for Orlando's already strong defensive identity. After stops in Chicago, Minnesota, and New York, Thibodeau brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of turning young rosters into playoff contenders.