Magic Promote Otis Smith to General Manager
May 3, 2006
ORLANDO, FL - Orlando Magic President Bob Vander Weide announced today that Otis Smith has been promoted to the position of General Manager. Dave Twardzik will maintain his role as Assistant General Manager.
“In a short amount of time, Otis has done a tremendous job in regards to player acquisitions, while at the same time, setting us up for the future,” said Vander Weide. “He brings a wide range of experience, great energy, dedication, leadership and vision to our basketball operations.”
Smith, who was promoted to Assistant General Manager on June 27, 2005, will be responsible for overseeing basketball operations, including player acquisitions via the draft, free agency and trades, player development, scouting and salary cap management. During the last eight months, he’s played a key role in obtaining Darko Milicic and Carlos Arroyo from Detroit (Feb. 15), while also gaining future significant salary cap flexibility by obtaining the expiring contract of Anfernee Hardaway from New York, along with Trevor Ariza for Steve Francis a week later (Feb. 22). He also extended the contracts of Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson and Tony Battie. Orlando won 16 of its last 22 games of the season, including 12 of its last 13 at home.
Smith spent the 2002-03 season as executive director of basketball operations for the Golden State Warriors. In that role, he oversaw the day-to-day operations of the basketball operations department and worked in conjunction with the players and basketball staff. During the previous two-plus seasons, Smith was director of community relations/Warriors Foundation.
Smith is no stranger to “The City Beautiful.” He was a member of the inaugural 1989-90 Magic squad and spent three seasons playing in Orlando (1989-92). Smith averaged 11.4 ppg., 4.1 rpg., 1.9 apg. and 1.01 stlpg. in 195 games with the Magic. He played in 375 career NBA regular season games with Denver, Golden State and Orlando, averaging 10.5 ppg., 3.8 rpg., 1.8 apg. and 1.01 stlpg. in 20.6 minpg.
Following his retirement as a player, Smith served as community relations manager for the Magic for two years. During that time, the organization was presented the Pro Team Community Award, given by the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame. He was also vice president of marketing and community relations of the Boys and Girls Club of Central Florida.
Smith was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, and is a 1986 graduate of Jacksonville University.
ORLANDO, FL - Orlando Magic President Bob Vander Weide announced today that Otis Smith has been promoted to the position of General Manager. Dave Twardzik will maintain his role as Assistant General Manager.
“In a short amount of time, Otis has done a tremendous job in regards to player acquisitions, while at the same time, setting us up for the future,” said Vander Weide. “He brings a wide range of experience, great energy, dedication, leadership and vision to our basketball operations.”
Smith, who was promoted to Assistant General Manager on June 27, 2005, will be responsible for overseeing basketball operations, including player acquisitions via the draft, free agency and trades, player development, scouting and salary cap management. During the last eight months, he’s played a key role in obtaining Darko Milicic and Carlos Arroyo from Detroit (Feb. 15), while also gaining future significant salary cap flexibility by obtaining the expiring contract of Anfernee Hardaway from New York, along with Trevor Ariza for Steve Francis a week later (Feb. 22). He also extended the contracts of Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson and Tony Battie. Orlando won 16 of its last 22 games of the season, including 12 of its last 13 at home.
Smith spent the 2002-03 season as executive director of basketball operations for the Golden State Warriors. In that role, he oversaw the day-to-day operations of the basketball operations department and worked in conjunction with the players and basketball staff. During the previous two-plus seasons, Smith was director of community relations/Warriors Foundation.
Smith is no stranger to “The City Beautiful.” He was a member of the inaugural 1989-90 Magic squad and spent three seasons playing in Orlando (1989-92). Smith averaged 11.4 ppg., 4.1 rpg., 1.9 apg. and 1.01 stlpg. in 195 games with the Magic. He played in 375 career NBA regular season games with Denver, Golden State and Orlando, averaging 10.5 ppg., 3.8 rpg., 1.8 apg. and 1.01 stlpg. in 20.6 minpg.
Following his retirement as a player, Smith served as community relations manager for the Magic for two years. During that time, the organization was presented the Pro Team Community Award, given by the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame. He was also vice president of marketing and community relations of the Boys and Girls Club of Central Florida.
Smith was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, and is a 1986 graduate of Jacksonville University.
