Thirteen years after starting alongside LeBron James on the Cleveland Cavaliers, one former player now finds himself leading a different East Coast team.
The Orlando Magic announced on Wednesday that retired ex-NBA swingman Anthony Parker has been promoted to their general manager. Parker, 48, had been Orlando’s assistant GM for the last two seasons and served as GM of the Magic’s G League affiliate for the four seasons prior.
Orlando is also promoting Pete D’Alessandro to executive vice president as president of basketball operations John Hammond transitions into a senior advisor role (a big restructuring of basketball operations for the team).
Older NBA fans may recall Parker’s stint with James in Cleveland during the 2009-10 season. The two players started together on the wing as the Cavs won 61 games (but lost in the second round to the Boston Celtics).
A 40.4 percent career three-point shooter, Parker also played for the Magic (in 1999-2000) and for Philadelphia and Toronto in his nine NBA seasons.
As for James, he is obviously pretty well-connected around the league. Parker is now the third former James teammate who is a current NBA general manager (along with this guy and this guy).
More must-reads: