The Orlando Magic are in the early stages of yet another rebuild. They have added a ton of young talent to the roster in recent NBA seasons and ownership is hopeful that they will be able to get the team back on track.
The latest addition to that group is Paolo Banchero. Banchero was selected No. 1 overall out of Duke in the 2022 NBA Draft and will be joining several former lottery picks on the team. In 2021, the team landed Gonzaga point guard Jalen Suggs and Michigan forward Franz Wagner. The year before that, Cole Anthony out of North Carolina was selected.
The team has a lot of depth at the point guard spot with Markelle Fultz also on the roster, as well as in the frontcourt. Mo Bamba was re-signed this offseason, while Wendell Carter Jr. received an extension last year.
With Banchero joining them, that leads a lot of people to ask the question of where does Jonathan Isaac fit in? Isaac was selected in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft, No. 6 overall. He showed a lot of promise but has not played in a game since August 2nd, 2020.
Isaac has missed the last two seasons recovering from a knee injury and has yet to play a minute on the four-year, $70 million contract he signed before the pandemic shortened 2020-21 season.
With so much depth now in the frontcourt, many have speculated that Isaac could be expendable. One NBA executive that spoke to NBA Analysis Network believes that the former Florida State product is a future trade candidate.
“With Banchero and Carter there, it’s tougher to see where Isaac fits in long-term there. A lot of Isaac’s salary isn’t guaranteed for the last two years of his deal. That should help a team to take a risk by trading for him after his injuries. It’s one of those risks that if it pays off, you get a potentially game-changing talent with his defense.”
While the Magic would certainly love to see Isaac’s potential come to fruition with them, no one would be shocked if they did ultimately look to trade him. There are only so many minutes available to be handed out in the frontcourt and the Magic have three players who will be receiving minutes.
A team without many avenues to upgrade their roster but in desperate need of an infusion of talent would likely take a risk on Isaac. The talent is there for him to be an impactful rotation player should he be able to stay healthy.
Latest NBA News & Trade Rumors: Orlando Magic
- Spurs Veterans Considered Available On NBA Trade Block?
- This Nets-Lakers-Spurs Trade Features Kyrie Irving, Russell Westbrook
- Lakers, Nets Unlikely To Make Kyrie Irving Trade Without Third Team
- Some NBA Executives See Gobert, Murray Trades As ‘Reckless’
- Dejounte Murray Trade Signals Spurs Tank For Victor Wembenyama?
For the latest surrounding Jonathan Isaac and the Orlando Magic, check out our NBA news and trade rumors feed.
