The Orlando Magic waived Jonathan Isaac to dodge his guaranteed $14.5 million salary for next season. Then they turned around and brought him back on a one-year contract. That’s the headline, per Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel.
Isaac has spent his entire nine-year career with the Magic, ever since they drafted him sixth overall out of Florida State in 2017. He made a name for himself as a disruptive defender and rim protector. He’s sixth on Orlando’s all-time blocks list with 391. But injuries have been a constant problem.
This past season, Isaac played in 52 games and averaged just 2.6 points and 2.5 rebounds. He shot 42.2% from the floor. His season ended in March 2026 after he hurt his knee. The Magic finished 45-37, tied for eighth in the Eastern Conference with the Sixers, and took the Pistons to seven games in the first round before losing.
It’s not like Isaac was ever a star scorer. His career averages are 6.8 points, 4.5 boards and 1.2 blocks in 18.8 minutes. But the injuries have piled up. He missed the entire 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons after tearing his ACL in August 2020. Then he missed almost all of 2022-23 with a torn left adductor muscle.
In July 2024, Isaac signed a five-year, $84 million extension. During the 2024-25 season, he played 71 games and averaged 5.4 points and 4.4 rebounds. Beede reported that Isaac bulked up and shifted into a more traditional center role, but looked sluggish on the court after gaining weight.
The Magic could have walked away. Instead, they cut him and then re-signed him for less. That’s not a vote of no confidence. It’s a cost-saving move that keeps a guy they clearly still believe in. Orlando isn’t giving up on Isaac yet. Whether his body cooperates is another question.
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