The Orlando Magic have perpetually been rebuilding but are hoping that better times are on the horizon. Paolo Banchero looks like the real deal as he is off to an excellent start after being selected No. 1 overall in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Orlando is hopeful that Banchero can become the face of the franchise that they have lacked since Dwight Howard. While the Magic have had plenty of chances to select near the top of the draft to add talent, they haven’t had much success in finding any.
One reason for that is the inability of some players to stay healthy. One player that has fallen victim to that is Jonathan Isaac. The No. 6 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft has immense potential and talent but his health has kept him from showcasing it.
Isaac has played in only 136 games thus far in his career. The last time that he was on an NBA court was August 2nd, 2020, in the Orlando Bubble. That is when he tore his ACL and because of some oddities in the NBA schedule because of the COVID-19 pandemic and his rehab, the last time Isaac played in a game he was 22. He has missed the last two full seasons and is now 25.
LATEST NBA INJURY NEWS: Jonathan Isaac & Orlando Magic Updates
Alas, there is some optimism that we could see Isaac on the court sometime in the near future. In a recent piece from the Orlando Sentinel, Isaac revealed that he is closer than he has ever been to getting back on the court.
“I’ve been playing [5-on-5] the last few weeks and just getting in shape,” Isaac recently told the Orlando Sentinel. “I’m still getting there. But in terms of body, knees and hamstrings, everything is great. I’m just not in game shape.”
That is certainly an encouraging development for Isaac and the Magic. Adding a player of his caliber into the lineup can only help as Isaac has All-Defensive Team potential and was showing progression offensively each season he was in the NBA.
LATEST NBA INJURY NEWS: Jonathan Isaac & Orlando Magic Updates
Expectations will need to be tempered given how long he has been sidelined. But, it will be hard to not feel good for Isaac and be excited when he steps back on the court for the first time with how long it has been since he was able to play.
The defensively challenged Magic will welcome him back with open arms. Healthy for the first time in a long time, Isaac is clearing the final hurdles before he can rejoin his teammates on the court for the first time in more than two calendar years.
