The Magic will interview former Hornets GM Jeff Bower next week for the team's open general manager position, reports Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel (via Twitter). Bower is on a lengthy list of candidates the Magic are pursuing after mutually parting ways with Otis Smith earlier this week. Magic CEO Alex Martins and Bower have worked together in the past as Martins previously served as the Hornets' senior vice president of marketing and branding.
Bower, 51, served as the general manager of the Hornets for a total of six seasons over two separate tenures. His career highlights include drafting Chris Paul in 2005 and rebuilding the franchise amidst the struggles of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. Bower was relieved of his duties in 2010 after spending the 2009/2010 season as the team's head coach in the wake of Byron Scott's firing at the beginning of the season.
While the Magic organization has stated its desire to hire a general manager with championship experience, Bower could be a good fit for the franchise given his experience working with a superstar player in CP3. Beyond spending 14 years with the Hornets wearing multiple hats, Bower has experience as an assistant coach on the collegiate level at Marist and Penn State. If hired, Bower will be tasked with finding a replacement for former Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy and find a way to convince Dwight Howard to sign an extension to stay in Orlando.