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Basketball Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady spent four years with the Orlando Magic, earning All-Star selections and a Most Improved Player award while with the franchise.
As a former Magic star, McGrady was dismayed at how their 2025-26 season ended — a first-round playoff exit after going up 3-1 in a series against the Detroit Pistons. Orlando ended up firing head coach Jamahl Mosley on Monday, and McGrady dismissed criticism of the guard.
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Tracy McGrady attends the game between the Orlando Magic and the Atlanta Hawks at the Kia Center in Orlando, Fla., on Jan. 7, 2024. (James Gilbert/Getty Images)
“What they have on their roster right now, what you see on their bench, they have to go,” McGrady said during NBC’s playoff coverage Monday. “I’m sorry. They’re not good enough. They’ve got to improve this roster if they’re going to be a team in the East that’s going to compete.
“New York is going nowhere. Boston is going nowhere. Detroit is going nowhere. You have to improve this list.”
Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero drives to the basket against Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris during the second half of Game 7 of the first round of the NBA playoffs on May 3, 2026, in Detroit. (Duane Burleson/AP)
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Orlando was in good position to upset the No. 1 seeded Pistons in the first round. The Magic had three plays to get the job done, but couldn’t pull it off. In one of those games, the Magic saw a 24-point lead disappear at home. In Game 6, Orlando missed 23 consecutive shots.
The Magic built a corps around Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs and Desmond Bane, all of whom are under contract for the foreseeable future. The organization clearly feels that a new voice on the bench can help lift the franchise.
Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane drives between Detroit Pistons guard Javonte Green and forward Paul Reed during the second half of Game 6 of the first-round NBA playoffs in Orlando, Fla., on May 1, 2026. (John Raoux/AP)
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Orlando improved dramatically during Mosley’s tenure, but still has failed to get out of the first round of the playoffs.
