2007–08 Orlando Magic season
The 2007–08 Orlando Magic season was their 19th season in the National Basketball Association. Led by 22-year-old center Dwight Howard, the Magic finished the season with a 52–30 record, finishing first-place in the Southeast Division and advancing to the Eastern Conference Semi-finals where they were eliminated by the Detroit Pistons in 5 games. The Magic had the fourth best team offensive rating in the NBA. In the playoffs, the Magic defeated the Toronto Raptors in the First Round in five games before losing to the Detroit Pistons in the Semi-finals in  five games. Offseason. Billy Donovan was signed as head coach of the Magic on June 1 agreeing to a 5-year, $27.5 million deal with the team., to replace recently fired Magic head coach Brian Hill. Donovan had previously led the University of Florida basketball team to back to back NCAA National Championships in 2006 and 2007. One day later however, Donovan had second thoughts about becoming head coach of the Magic, and wished to be released from his contract to return to his former team, the Florida Gators Men's basketball team. On June 5, the Magic released  Donovan from his 5-year contract, under the condition that he would not be allowed to sign as head coach of another NBA team for five years. One day later, the Magic signed Stan Van Gundy as head coach. The deal was reportedly for 4 years, $16 million. The Magic made a splash in the free agent market by acquiring small forward Rashard Lewis on July 11. Lewis was re-signed to the Seattle SuperSonics for a six-year league maximum contract, then promptly traded to the Magic in a "sign and trade" for a second-round pick in  the 2008 NBA draft. The Sonics earned a mid-level salary cap exemption in the trade. Lewis signed a six-year league-maximum contract believed to be worth over $110 million. Then the Magic filled in a need and went after a big man after losing Darko Miličić, and signed Center Adonal Foyle who played for the Golden State Warriors and leads the Warriors in most blocks in team history. The Magic also signed Polish center Marcin Gortat on July 17. They had acquired his NBA rights from the Phoenix Suns following the 2005 NBA draft. The Magic got  final approval for a new arena on July 26, 2007. It is expected to be completed in time for the 2010–11 NBA season. Point guard Jameer Nelson's father, Floyd "Pete" Nelson, disappeared on August 30, and was found dead in the Delaware River in Wilmington, Delaware, on September 2. A Chester, Pennsylvania, tugboat repairman by trade, the elder Nelson's death was ruled an accident. Draft picks. Orlando's selections from the 2007 NBA draft in New York City. Regular season. Game log. October. Record: 1–0 ; Home: 1–0 ; Road: 0–0 November. Record: 13–4 ; Home: 4–2 ; Road: 9–2 December. Record : 8–7 ; Home: 2–4 ; Road: 6–3 January. Record: 7–7 ; Home: 5–2 ; Road: 2–5 February. Record: 8–5 ; Home: 4–3 ; Road: 4–2 March. Record: 10–4 ; Home: 7–3 ; Road: 3–1 April. Record: 5–3; Home: 2–2; Road: 3–1 Player stats. Regular season. <nowiki>*</nowiki>Total for entire season including previous team(s) Transactions. The Magic have been involved in the following transactions during the 2007–08 season. Trades. In November 2007 the Magic traded Trevor Ariza to the Los Angeles Lakers for Maurice Evans and Brian Cook.