The Magic have assigned forward Jonathan Isaac to their G League affiliate in Lakeland for practices as he moves closer to an NBA return, writes Khobi Price of The Orlando Sentinel.
Price describes it as a “significant step” in Isaac’s return-to-play process, noting that it will be the first time the 25-year-old will get to play 5-on-5 against other basketball players during his injury rehab. Isaac has been doing some 5-on-5 work with Orlando’s coaching staff when the Magic are in town, while primarily doing individual workouts while the team is on the road, Price explains.
Isaac tore his ACL in 2020 and suffered a setback earlier this year, undergoing a minor procedure in March. He last played in an NBA game on August 2, 2020 in the Walt Disney World bubble, 856 days ago.
That ACL tear occurred in his second game back from another major left knee injury, which had kept him on the shelf since January 1, 2020. In other words, Isaac has appeared in just three NBA games since the calendar turned to 2020, and sustained major injuries in two of those games. It’s no wonder then that the Magic have proceeded extremely cautiously with his return to the court this fall.
Although Isaac is entering one of the final stages of his recovery process, there’s still no specific timeline for his season debut, according to Dan Savage of OrlandoMagic.com, who says that will depend on how the Magic forward responds to the G League practices and continued treatment.
A talented and versatile defender who averaged 2.3 blocks and 1.6 steals per game in his abridged 2019/20 season, Isaac is earning $17.4MM this season and is under contract for two more years at the same price. His 2023/24 salary is partially guaranteed for $7.6MM, while his ’24/25 cap hit is non-guaranteed.
The Magic have moved on. There isn’t a lot of room for Isaac with the current roster. I’d be plying Bol Bol in front of him. Isaac played 2 games and tore his ACL. That has to be some kind of record
Once this guy is back on the court yall will be fresh out of guys to hate on lol. Kawhi, ADavis, Zion, Markelle, Harden all back doin #s. This can’t be fun for you guys
Projecting again?
Hate,what Hate? How many power forwards, forwards & centers do the Magic have? I stated facts, and gave an opinion on those facts. Save the emotional drama-queen stuff… Invent a different problem because you can’t solve mine
Lmao your killing me with the markelle inclusion. Real worried he’s going to set the world on fire with the ever imposing magic. You do kids birthday parties too?
Why the Magic brought him back for those bubble games remains one of the great mysteries of the universe.
Isaac will play F-C off the bench (22-28 mpg).
Starters: (F) Franz / (F) Paolo / (C) WCJr
Bench: (F) Bol / (F-C) Isaac
Ltd Min: (F) Okeke (C) Bamba
IMO Bamba and Okeke are the ones that likely get pushed out the rotation if JI comes back even 75% of what he was.
Okeke is a good but size limited defender + his 3P shot just never materialized.
Bamba wants a starting role, but his motor is way too inconsistent. Magic are definitely shopping him right now and I can see him gone this trade deadline or at the draft before his team option guarantees for next year.
Issac had potential to be a DPOTY level player, too bad he’s made of glass.
With Wendell, Bol, Franz, Paolo and now Issac they have far too many PF players. Yer move Wagner or Paolo to 3. But both need to start really…… but then again, technically so do Wendel and Bol. It’s a good headache to have, but not simple.
This is a chance for ORL to get some assets for Bol while his value is sky high, but they’re still overloaded at the 4 trying to shoehorn 4x 6’10”+ forwards on the court at once.
The Magic are not trading Bol, lol.
At worse he’s a 28-30 mpg 6th man. They have him at slightly above minimum salary for next 2 years.
Starters: (F) Franz / (F) Paolo / (C) WCJr
Bench: (F) Bol / (F-C) Isaac
Ltd Min: (F) Okeke (C) Bamba
Also, lineups with Franz/Bol/Paolo/WCJr all on the floor together:
(117 minutes)
Offensive Rating: 119.6
Defensive Rating: 104.1
Net Rating: + 15.5
…Franz is a true 3 on both ends , he’s not a 4.
…Paolo is a 4, and eventually will be able to play 5 routinely; already does it for short stints vs smaller units.
+ WCJr is a 5 that can play some 4, but you really want him at C where he’s most effective on both ends.
I agree that’s a good idea on paper, I still think Franz is too slow to be a 3. But Wendel is good at the 5, I still think he’s a better scorer as a 4, not that Magic need that with their team though. (I think he’d be better at the PF with a bigger presence in the paint, but you play how you’re needed on a team).
Along with HOU OKC and DET. All 4 are exciting for the league in a few years, even without a good pick next year, tides are turning in the league!
Franz is definitely a 3 on defense and very capable of switching down. He’s normally on 2-3’s, sometimes even draws POA vs PG’s and defends that role well.
He’s a lot quicker and more agile than he looks, uses sophisticated footwork + huge strides and wide lower body to cover and seal off a lot of space.
Were he begins to have trouble on D is when he’s switched onto bigger physical 4’s…as he’s way more finesse than brute at that size.
He’s basically a 6’10” Manu Ginobli.
WCJr is best as a 5 because he doesn’t spread floor at all as a 4.
+ WCJr is a very good defender at 5:
link to go.nba.com
link to go.nba.com
No argument Frans plays 3 for Magic. He’s been playing a few as SG or even PG at times. I just think he’d be even better at the 4. His talent for speed and size, plus he’s big for all positions except C gives positives about his defence development.
Again yes Wendel is currently a 5 and he does the job fairly well. But up against 7ft+ guys he seems to get bullied a bit. in future play offs up against the Joel’s, Rudy’s and Jokic’s and even Soon to be wembys of the league he’ll struggle. He needs to fill out a bit to be a better C or get better at perimeter shooting and move back to the 4.
The point is. Magic have 4 or 5 players who would most likely progress best at the 4 and have high ceilings.
If they wanted to they have great assets if they decide to become buyers to build around Paolo who clearly has the highest ceiling.
I’m not sure how you’re arriving at that – but I’ve watched every single minute that WCJr has played with the Magic and he’s held up very well defensively regardless of opponent size.
In fact vs Embiid and Jokic he’s been excellent, and it wasn’t just my eye test…tracking data backs that up:
Last season vs Embiid, he held him to 37.8 FG%
link to go.nba.com
Last season vs Jokic, he held him to 35.3 FG%
link to go.nba.com
…advanced metrics also back up his defensive ability:
• Defensive RAPTOR (+ is better)
(2021-22) +1.4
(2022-23) +2.9
• Defensive LEBRON (+ is better)
(2021-22) +2.01 *top 20 in NBA
(2021-22) no data
Your point is way off, and it’s based off of an antiquated understanding of positions and role versatility.
The Magic are building system based on playing multiple long versatile wings + a versatile/skilled C…very similar to Toronto. Magic GM Jeff Weltman and Toronto top exec Masai Ujiri are close friends who’ve worked with each other for most of their careers and share similar team building philosophy. It’s why Magic are stockpiling high skill versatile wings.
They now run lineups with Franz + Paolo + Bol + WCJr…and it’s worked very well. Those 4 on the floor together have a killer Net Rating of +15.5 in 117 minutes played together.
Once WCJr went down with injury, it didn’t work as good because Bamba just doesn’t have the on-ball skill or defensive switchability that WCJr does. But now they’ve started to use Moritz Wagner at 5, and it’s started to work again as he’s a more skilled big. But WCJr at the 5 is key to how those multiple big-wing units work.
Wendel has played Embiid twice for ORL. Giving up 35 & 31 points. FG%. Plus the fact he played is better position of PF……BAMBA kept Embiids efficiently low, he covered centre when Embiid was off the floor and Bamba wasn’t playing.
Against Jokic Vs ORL Wendel only twice last year which he played POWER FORWARD.
I actually watched the 18pt game for Nuggets(Orlando won) but if you watched you’ll remember it was BAMBA playing the 5 guarding Jokic not Wendel. He was switched and didn’t fare well for a time. Again that’s where I’m getting it from. So to squash your “your point is way off” and link happy statement. I think my point is quite accurate.
I don’t dispute what they’re going for 4 players 6’10”+ on the floor should be a defensive lockdown. Especially when Wendel is a good defender. But to say it’s going well is an overstatement. They’re overly reliant on Paolo and they’re 2-14 when playing with All of them and are 21st In D rating with all o them playing 20th overall in league. I agree developing is key, but you can’t say all this when it’s not yet proven.
But again I LIKE WHAT MAGIC ARE TRYING. Just pointing out all of these players are or can be better at PF. Not saying they’re bad where they’re playing just stating as I’m sure you have to agree they’re more likely going to become better players at the 4 positions.
Toronto are slightly different as Barnes, OG and Siakam are all much smaller and much more agile. Plus they have Van Vleet at the point. None of their 3 front court switch are primary ball handlers like Franz and Paolo like to be, plus they still need a stationary 7ft big man for the P&R in the Rook. I actually think it better suits Magic than Tor. But again it’s still in the foundation stage, and eventually it’ll either keep getting better, or they’ll restructure as they’re in year 2 of a rebuild. Again Orland have a very bright future. Be it will all these guys or by using them as very valuable assets.
What? Embiid does not go 1vs1 with WCJr all game…offenses actively try to get him switches vs advantageous matchups, aka not WCJr.
That’s why you have to look at the tracking data that shows that on possessions vs WCJr he shot 37.8 FG% on 115 possessions…meanwhile Embiid shot 54.8 FG% on 56 possessions vs Bamba last year.
I watched the Denver games. That’s not how the Magic defended Jokic. In fact, Bamba only played 11 minutes in 1st game.
In total, Bamba only defended Jokic a whopping total of 14 possessions in those 2 games last year…WCJr defended him on 99 possessions in those 2 games:
Game 1
link to nba.com
Game 2
link to nba.com
It’s also ridiculous to use 2-14 record to asses wether that jumbo lineup is good. That lineup does not play the entire game; hence why one looks at specific lineup data, not record…and those numbers are excellent.
WCJr defends the best big even when Bamba is on floor. Sometimes it’s a player like Giannis, other times it’s a big like Embiid/Jokic.
Your point IS way off base.
Franz is a true 3, not a 4. He can play there if necessary but it’s not ideal on defense or for rebounding purposes.
Paolo is a natural 4 on both ends.
WCJr is a C that if necessary can play some PF but his best position is 100% the 5.
Bol is also a big wing. He can play with Franz/Paolo because of their skill sets…all can handle and create. He’ll either start next to them or be a 6th man.
+ JI will be coming off bench for the foreseeable future, backing up 3/4 and also some 5.
Also, the Magic are not way over reliant on Paolo…in fact if they’re overly reliant on anyone it’s Franz.
Let’s be real, your comments reveal that you don’t really watch the Magic. I do – every single Magic game, some twice, and have done so for at least the last 15 years + I also study the analytics…so I think I have a pretty good understanding as to what the Magic are doing.
So you just proved your point Wendel didn’t guard Joel AT ALL apart from odd occasions meaning he hasn’t proved at all.
Plus the fact you’re basing it on the entire 115 possessions to which based on Embiids usage is around 37% LY that’s discounting the number of shots he actually took during that game. Just a stat you can pull out to justify. Even if he did have lower efficiency, he still got off more shots than he usually does that that game per the season. meaning he was given more opportunity than he should be.
He still averaged 33 points over the two games which was well above his season average So didn’t “do excellent”.
Tracking only shows so much. You should know that by being “that guy” spending hours hunting for stats.
Instead of an essay reply including all points I’ll leave you to your “bubble view”. No I don’t watch Magic religiously, but I’ve watch enough being in the location I am & regional TV commitments. But to religiously watch them Is your job as a fan.
But your job is to also be realistic in The team. Being a Homer throwing out half baked stats and links and screaming “I watch all this” to defend someone who actually hasn’t been bad mouthed is pure homerism. Be realistic listen to opinions and accept.
I do……,,,,,,, I accept my Rox are in the hole. You don’t see me going on about KPJs “best catch and shoot 3pt %”. Or all the records Jalen Green has broken over tha last two seasons. As I know they’re trash RN. Be a real fan not a “my team is gold” fan. Enjoy your bubble and be happy you have Paolo he’s a future HOF.
NOWHERE do I say Magic are “gold” so stop making crap up.
My point was about your totally inaccurate and uninformed statements about the Magic roster and their roles.
what? lol dude just stop…you’re embarrassing yourself
Just get healthy and start playing. Issac was looking good before he went down. Actually played 34 gms at 29 mins. His future is at PF. And there is no room with Magic. Needs to play so Magic can get value.
From Kevin Smith back in May
“Because Jonathan Isaac did not meet games played thresholds for the Orlando Magic, his guaranteed amounts have been amended from $17.4M per season to the following:
22-23: $16,000,000
23-24: $7,600,000
24-25: $0
These only come into play if Isaac is waived from his deal.”
I think we have a much better chance of seeing Isaac eventually waived than being a rotation fixture at this point, especially given the newfound depth they have at his position.
He’s young enough he could come back (I guess), but I tend to agree. He only played 27g his rookie season and he’s missed the last two full seasons.
He’s listed at 6’11” – generally the 7 foot-ish guys tend to have more trouble coming back from severe injuries, even when young.
In theory an interesting player though
Isaac should be watched. Not sure what to expect from him at this point. He took some time to get his sea legs in the league, and then he missed more time than usual with this ACL injury. Unless he looks really bad physically, he would value to me as a reclamation project (and I don’t really believe in reclamation projects).
His contract has turned team friendly as well with him not hitting his qualifiers last year
I’d be in on him too and I’m not too much of a reclamation guy either – He’s a scarce asset today if healthy , true difference maker on the defensive side who can switch pretty much anyone , or guard a premier player like Giannis straight up all game if Need be
Issac is young and was still growing physically. Just needs to heal and get strong. Like I said his future is at PF. I think he can come back as a 4. He’s 6’ 10” and getting girth. Still has time on his side. Wish him the best. We’ll take him on Knicks.
He’s at least 7′ and jacked, you can see how big he is when he stands next to WCJr and Bamba on court…he’ll be playing 4-5 off the bench.
Magic aren’t moving him, they’ve invested way too much time/capital to hand him off right when he’s healthy. No way do they sell low on him.
I just want the Magic to start
Paolo
Franz
Bol Bol
J. Isaac
Carter with Bamba subbing for someone in case the Magic need to go BIG.
Switching everything and letting Paolo play point, what’s not to like?
That would be funny or fun to watch tbh. Depending on the outcome.
It’s hard for me to say it being a hawks fan but I like the magics roster. Super young and if they keep everyone together for a couple years then they will get chemistry and then watch out. Even if they trade Ross and Harris and stockpile picks for a superstar later sheesh