Magic forward Jonathan Isaac appeared in his 70th game of the 2024/25 season, earning a $2.6MM bonus that will be tacked onto his $25MM base salary, tweets ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
The bonus had been considered unlikely to be earned and hadn’t counted against the cap because Isaac didn’t appear in at least 70 games last season. In fact, this is the first time since 2018/19 that he has achieved the feat. The 6’10” forward, who tore his ACL during the ’19/20 season, saw the floor in just 103 total contests in the five seasons preceding this one.
Isaac has played a far more modest role this season than he did earlier in his career, averaging 5.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 15.2 minutes per game entering Friday’s contest. He continues to be an impactful defender in his part-time role — Orlando has allowed just 106.5 points per 100 possessions when he’s on the floor, a slightly better mark than Oklahoma City’s league-best 106.7 defensive rating.
The Magic have one of the NBA’s lowest payrolls this season and will remain far below the tax line even after accounting for Isaac’s bonus, which will bump his ’24/25 earnings from $25MM up to $27.6MM.
Typically, when a bonus is earned in one season, it’s considered “likely” for the following season and is added to the player’s cap hit. However, that bonus for 70 games played wasn’t included in the contract extension Isaac signed last summer, which goes into effect in 2025/26, so his $15MM cap hit for next season will remain unchanged.
One of the good guys…Never forget when that tool on Espn held a poll asking if it was funny he tore his ACL smh
What ever NBA player should aspire to be as a person
Just dump this overpaid guy. Had one good year and turned that into a huge payday.
Hopefully he gets traded to a team that will actually play him more.
Playing him more has generally led to him getting injured and thus playing less…