Stan Van Gundy to Be Offered Extension

Shortly after the season ends, the Orlando Magic are preparing to offer coach Stan Van Gundy a contract extension as a reward for reaching the NBA Finals.

Van Gundy is just finishing the second year of his original four-year contract that began in the summer before the 2007-08 season. The fourth year of the contract, paying him an estimated $4 million annually, currently is a team option that will be guaranteed as part of the extension.

General manager Otis Smith, who has two years remaining on his contract, also will be offered an extension as a reward for crafting the roster that looks like it will allow the Magic to be championship contenders for at least the next few years.

"They both have done a great job," said a Magic front office executive who confirmed the upcoming, contract-extension talks. "We want to make sure they will be here to continue what they've started."

The Magic will play Game 3 of the Finals Thursday against the Lakers, who are coached by Phil Jackson, who is bidding for his 10th NBA title, most in league history. Jackson has hinted at retirement if the Lakers win another title.

Van Gundy, who got the job with the Magic only after it was accepted and then rejected a day later by Billy Donovan in 2007, has compiled a two-year regular season record of 111-53 while winning two Southeast Division titles.

Under Van Gundy, the Magic reached the Finals for the first time in 14 years, but they also have become one of the best road teams in the league, compiling a 54-28 record. Now in its 20th season, the Magic have had a winning road record only three times, and twice it has come under Van Gundy.

Van Gundy, who was 112-73 in two-plus seasons in Miami, has become known as an excitable, hard-driving coach whose candor often riles both players and opponents. He also doesn't mind taking chances, coaching without worrying about being second guessed. His latest example was bringing back Jameer Nelson for the Finals after he was out for four months with a shoulder injury.

"When I signed a contract here, I knew that regardless of what happened, I don't need to have another job after this," he said two weeks ago. "And the thing I liked about that, is not that I don't want to coach, but that I can coach the way I think is best to win games."

Latest NBA Images

Ben McCauley breaks down court with the ball during a Bobcats workout, Wednesday, June 10, 2009, at the Presbyterian Hospital Training Center at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Siner/Charlotte Observer/MCT)

MCT

Tyler Hansbrough listens to instructions from Charlotte Bobcats assistant coach Dave Hanners during a Bobcats' workout, Wednesday, June 10, 2009, at the Presbyterian Hospital Training Center at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Siner/Charlotte Observer/MCT)

MCT

Tyler Hansbrough listens to instructions from Charlotte Bobcats head coach Larry Brown during a Bobcats' workout, Wednesday, June 10, 2009, at the Presbyterian Hospital Training Center at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Siner/Charlotte Observer/MCT)

MCT

Tyler Hansbrough, center, tries to fight his way through a block set by Ahmad Nivins during a workout with the Charlotte Bobcats, Wednesday, June 10, 2009, at the Presbyterian Hospital Training Center at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Siner/Charlotte Observer/MCT)

MCT

Tyler worked out with the Charlotte Bobcats, Wednesday, June 10, 2009, at the Presbyterian Hospital Training Center at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Siner/Charlotte Observer/MCT)

MCT

Hedo Turkoglu of the Orlando Magic speaks to the media during practice at the Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida, Wednesday, June 10, 2009. (Roberto Gonzalez/Orlando Sentinel/MCT)

MCT

Rashard Lewis of the Orlando Magic speaks to the media during practice at the Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida, Wednesday, June 10, 2009. (Roberto Gonzalez/Orlando Sentinel/MCT)

MCT

Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson watches his team during practice at the Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida, Wednesday, June 10, 2009. (Roberto Gonzalez/Orlando Sentinel/MCT)

MCT

Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard practices free-throws during the team's practice in Orlando June 10, 2009. The Magic are preparing for Game 4 in the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. REUTERS/Hans Deryk (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)

Reuters

Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard jokes prior to their team's practice in Orlando June 10, 2009. The Magic are preparing for Game 4 in the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. REUTERS/Hans Deryk (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)

Reuters