Orlando Magic Receive: C Derrick Favors, 2023 First-Round Pick (DEN)
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: F Jonathan Isaac
This deal finds the Oklahoma City Thunder employing similar logic as they would in acquiring Washington. They can afford to part with one first-round pick for the sake of adding young talent. With this deal, they’re taking on greater risk for a higher potential reward.
That’s why they’re giving up a less valuable draft pick. It would be a shock if Denver’s 2023 selection landed in the lottery. At this point, it would also be fairly surprising if Jonathan Isaac could stay healthy for a season. If he could, this could be a tremendous steal for the Thunder.
When healthy, Isaac looks like a one-man defensive system. His combination of length and quickness is elite. He can block shots as readily as he can intercept passes. Injuries have clouded his future, but he’s still only 24.
This deal finds the Magic regretting the $17.4 million per season extension they gave the oft-injured forward. They’re swapping it for a veteran they won’t use in Favors and, of course, the first-round pick. If Isaac turns it around in Oklahoma City, they may regret it.
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Both teams are taking a gamble here, but if the Thunder are feeling risque, this deal could pay huge dividends for them.
