Houston Rockets Receive: C Mo Bamba, F Jonathan Isaac, G Terrance Ross
Orlando Magic Receive: G John Wall, 2023 First-Round Pick (MIL), 2024 First-Round Pick (BKN)
Jonathan Isaac’s career has been a source of frustration for fans to date. When he’s available, he’s a one-man defensive system, capable of shutting down the perimeter and interior in equal measures.
Related: he’s almost never available.
Isaac didn’t suit up for the Orlando Magic once in 2021-22. In total, he’s suited up just 106 times over the first 3 seasons of his career. The Magic may be ready to abandon hope. Would the Houston Rockets really part with draft capital to acquire such an unreliable player?
They might. The Rockets posted the second-worst Defensive Rating in the NBA this season, behind only the Portland Trail Blazers. If Isaac can get healthy, he could singlehandedly right the ship.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Rockets, John Wall Working On Potential Offseason Trade
Adding Mo Bamba makes for a substantial bonus. He’d have to agree to a sign-and-trade, and the Rockets would have to agree to a contract substantial enough to make the money work here.
If both of those conditions were met, this trade could be interesting for both sides. The Rockets fix their defense with two players on their rebuilding timeline, while the Magic add a mentor in addition to increasing their draft capital.
