Orlando Magic Waive Jonathan Isaac in Cost-Saving Roster Move
The Orlando Magic have waived forward Jonathan Isaac, ending the former lottery pick’s long and injury-interrupted run with the franchise.
The team announced the move Saturday, with president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman confirming the decision. Isaac had been one of the longest-tenured players on Orlando’s roster, having spent his entire NBA career with the Magic after the franchise selected him with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.
The timing of the move was financially significant. Isaac’s $14.5 million salary for the 2026-27 season was set to become fully guaranteed if he remained on the roster another day. By waiving him before that deadline, Orlando will owe him $8 million instead, creating $6.5 million in savings, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
The Magic also chose not to stretch the remaining $8 million payment across multiple seasons, according to Reuters. That means the team will absorb the money more immediately rather than spreading the cap hit into future years. The decision also leaves open the possibility that Isaac could theoretically return to Orlando on a new deal if he clears waivers and does not find a better opportunity elsewhere.
For now, the move gives Orlando additional flexibility as it continues reshaping the roster for the 2026-27 season. The Magic are entering a new phase under head coach Sean Sweeney, who was introduced this month after previously serving as associate head coach with the San Antonio Spurs. Orlando has also made aggressive roster moves in recent years, including the trade for Desmond Bane from the Memphis Grizzlies, a deal that added a proven shooter and scorer to a core built around Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.
Isaac’s departure closes a complicated chapter for both player and team. When Orlando drafted him out of Florida State, he was viewed as a high-upside defensive forward with rare length, mobility, and versatility. At 6-foot-10, Isaac had the tools to guard multiple positions and develop into one of the NBA’s more disruptive frontcourt defenders.
At his best, Isaac showed why the Magic had been so patient with him. His defensive instincts, shot-blocking, and ability to cover ground made him a valuable piece when healthy. But injuries repeatedly interrupted his development and kept him from building consistent momentum.
Isaac missed the entire 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons while recovering from major knee issues and other setbacks. Although he eventually returned to the court, his role was reduced, and his production never fully returned to the level the Magic once hoped he could reach.
During the 2025-26 season, Isaac appeared in 52 games, all off the bench. He averaged 2.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 0.4 assists in 10.0 minutes per game, the lowest scoring and rebounding averages of his NBA career. Across 328 career regular-season games with Orlando, including 109 starts, he averaged 6.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 0.7 assists.
The waiver does not necessarily mean Isaac’s NBA career is over. Defensive size remains valuable across the league, and a team looking for frontcourt depth could view him as a low-risk option if he is healthy and available at a reduced price. His next step will depend on the waiver process and whether another team sees a role for him.
For the Magic, the decision appears to be part of a broader offseason effort to balance financial flexibility with roster improvement. Orlando has already invested heavily in its young core and made clear through previous moves that it wants to become more competitive in the Eastern Conference. Moving on from Isaac gives the franchise more room to adjust its salary sheet while continuing to build around its primary players.
Isaac’s time in Orlando will be remembered as a mix of promise, patience, and frustration. He remained with the organization through multiple roster cycles and coaching changes, but injuries kept him from becoming the long-term centerpiece the Magic once envisioned. Now, both sides move into the offseason with uncertain but separate paths ahead.