Magic waive Jonathan Isaac, saving $6.5 million
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- Orlando Magic waived forward Jonathan Isaac on Saturday, saving $6.5 million before his $14.5 million salary was set to become guaranteed on Sunday.
- Jonathan Isaac is still owed $8 million by Orlando, but the Magic did not stretch that salary over seven seasons, leaving the door open for the power forward to return in free agency if he doesn't sign elsewhere.
- Isaac, a 6-foot-10 forward, was drafted sixth overall by the Magic in 2017 but played 70 or more games in only two of his nine Orlando seasons.
- Isaac missed all of the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons after tearing his left ACL.
- Isaac averaged just 2.6 points and 2.5 rebounds across 52 games last season and sat out the final 22 regular-season games plus Orlando's first-round playoff loss to Detroit with a sprained left knee.
Why it matters: Orlando avoided a fully guaranteed $14.5 million commitment for a player who appeared in only 52 games last season and averaged 2.6 points, freeing $6.5 million in immediate cap relief. The Magic left $8 million on the table by not stretching the contract, signaling they'd consider re-signing Isaac if his market elsewhere dries up.
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