When I asked Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman that very question during Wednesday’s end-of-the-season Zoom call with reporters, Weltman refused to answer.
Weltman understandably explained that it’s his policy not to publicly discuss contract matters involving coaches and players, but it sure sounded like he believes Clifford is the right coach to lead this young team through the upcoming rebuild.
Obviously, nobody in their right mind could possibly blame Clifford for this moribund, miserable, injury-ravaged, COVID-cursed season, the resulting roster overhaul at the trade deadline and then the ensuing tank job. In fact, Weltman admitted he felt guilty about saddling Clifford with a rebuild in the middle of season already in progress.