ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando Magic general manager John Hammond will transition to a senior advisor position within the organization, president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman shared Wednesday.
Weltman is promoting assistant general manager Anthony Parker to general manager and associate general manager Pete D’Alessandro to executive vice president of basketball operations.
Hammond, who spent six seasons (2017-23) as general manager of the Magic, received a contract extension in January 2022 that went into effect last year and was expected to go through the 2025-2026 season.
“We are excited for John’s well-deserved next chapter,” Weltman said in a statement. “He has, and will continue to be, an invaluable resource. His experience has helped set the table for the Magic’s future and we look forward to continuing to lean on him in regard to everything from player evaluation to player development.”
Hammond, who has served 32 years in the NBA, came to the Magic after spending nine seasons (2008-17) as general manager of the Milwaukee Bucks. Prior to joining the Bucks, he spent seven seasons as vice president of basketball operations with the Detroit Pistons.
“He helped build a great team in Milwaukee and won a championship in Detroit,” Weltman said about Hammond. “He has, and will continue to be, a great friend, mentor and confidant to the Magic family.”
Parker has spent the last two seasons (2021-23) as assistant general manager with the Magic. He rejoined Orlando after spending four seasons (2017-21) as general manager of the Lakeland Magic (now the Osceola Magic) in the NBA G League.
Under his leadership, Lakeland recorded 94 regular-season victories since beginning play, tied for the most in the G League during that span. They capped off the 2020-21 campaign by winning the G League championship.
Prior to joining Lakeland, Parker spent five seasons (2012-17) as a scout with the Magic. Parker was selected No. 21 overall in the 1997 NBA draft by New Jersey and went onto to play nine seasons (1997-2000, 2006-12) with Philadelphia, Orlando, Toronto and Cleveland. In between his time in the NBA, Parker spent six seasons (2000-06) playing professionally in Europe.
“Anthony brings a unique perspective to our group as a former player and it has been great to watch his progression from player to scout to G League GM to the Magic’s assistant general manager,” Weltman said. “Anthony is the ultimate team player and we look forward to his continued leadership, experience and energy.”
The change at general manager comes at an intriguing time for the Magic, who haven’t made the playoffs since the 2019-20 season. That year was the second straight Orlando reached the postseason following a six season drought.
The back-to-back postseason appearances corresponded with the second and third seasons with Weltman and Hammond in Orlando.
Since then, the Magic have entrenched themselves in a rebuild around a core group of younger talent, including last year’s No. 1 overall pick and rookie of the year Paolo Banchero.
Orlando was the last Eastern Conference team to get eliminated from playoff consideration this past season, just missing out on the NBA play-in tournament. The Magic, who finished with a 34-48 record, saw a 12-win improvement from the previous year.
The Magic went 29-28 in the final 57 games and are set out to make the playoffs this upcoming season.
During June’s draft, Orlando selected Arkansas guard Anthony Black sixth overall and Michigan guard-forward Jett Howard five picks later.
The Magic have five first-round picks and nine second-round picks over the next four years.
D’Alessandro was promoted to associate general manager in August 2022. He joined Orlando as assistant general manager in June of 2017 after spending two seasons (2015-17) as senior vice president of business and team operations with Denver.
D’Alessandro also spent two seasons (2013-2015) as general manager of the Sacramento Kings. From 2004-2008, he worked for the Golden State Warriors.
Prior to working on the team side of the business, he spent seven years working at a Washington D.C.-based sports agency which represented both NBA and international basketball players.
“Pete has been instrumental in multiple areas, ranging from salary cap expertise to coordination with the league office,” Weltman said. “He is an outstanding leader and his creativity, experience and knowledge are instrumental to what we’re doing.”
