Image via The Orlando Sentinel
The Orlando Magic have waived veteran forward Jonathan Isaac, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer, ending an eight-year run with the franchise that selected him with the sixth overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.
Isaac, 28, flashed elite defensive potential throughout his career, but repeated injuries prevented him from becoming a consistent contributor. A torn ACL suffered in the 2020 NBA Bubble sidelined him for more than two seasons, and additional lower-body injuries limited his availability after his return.
Despite the health concerns, Isaac remains one of the league’s more intriguing defensive specialists when healthy. His versatility, rim protection, and ability to defend multiple positions could make him an attractive low-risk signing for teams looking to bolster their frontcourt depth on a veteran minimum contract.
Orlando’s decision also provides additional financial flexibility as the franchise continues building around its young core led by Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.
With free agency set to begin, Isaac is expected to draw interest from contenders willing to take a chance on his defensive upside if he can stay on the floor.
What do you think? Which team should take a chance on Jonathan Isaac?
