Magic Cut Jonathan Isaac, Free Up Cap Space

The Orlando Magic have parted ways with veteran forward Jonathan Isaac, waiving the player in a calculated move designed to free up salary cap space. The decision, finalized on Saturday, June 27, 2026, came just a day before Isaac's $14.5 million salary for the 2026-27 NBA season was set to become fully guaranteed. By acting pre-emptively, the Magic triggered a partial guarantee on his contract, reducing their financial obligation to $8 million.

This waiving saves the Magic approximately $6.5 million against the salary cap as they head into a crucial free agency period. Reports indicate that the team opted not to utilize a "waive-and-stretch" provision, which would have spread the $8 million owed to Isaac over seven seasons. Instead, the entire $8 million will be accounted for in the upcoming season's cap. This approach also leaves the door open for Isaac to potentially re-sign with Orlando, should he clear waivers and not secure a more lucrative offer from another team.

Isaac, born October 3, 1997, in The Bronx, New York, was a significant figure for the Magic since being drafted sixth overall in the 2017 NBA draft. Standing 6-foot-10, he played power forward and small forward, making him the team's longest-tenured player prior to this recent decision. Over his nine seasons with the franchise, Isaac appeared in 328 NBA games, starting 109 of them. His career averages with the Magic include 6.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per game. He also proved to be a formidable defensive presence, recording 1.2 blocks per game, which placed him sixth on Orlando's all-time career blocked shots list with a total of 391.

However, Isaac's promising career has been significantly hampered by a series of severe injuries. Early on, in November 2017, a knee injury forced him to miss 45 games. A more devastating setback occurred in August 2020 during the NBA's restart in the Orlando bubble, when he suffered a torn left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). This injury required extensive surgery and sidelined him for the entirety of both the 2020-21 and 2021-22 NBA seasons.

Upon his return to play, Isaac faced continued challenges. In March 2023, after playing only 11 games, he sustained an adductor muscle injury that again necessitated surgical intervention. The 2025-26 season saw him participate in 52 games, all coming off the bench, where he averaged career lows of 2.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 0.4 assists in just 10 minutes per game. Further compounding his injury woes, he did not play in Orlando's first-round playoff series against Detroit due to a left knee strain.

Isaac had initially signed a five-year, $84 million contract extension with the Magic in July 2024, a deal that was set to run through the 2028-29 season. The 2026-27 season, for which his salary guarantee was in question, was the third year of this extension, with the final two seasons being non-guaranteed. Reports indicated as early as March 2026 that the Magic had amended his contract guarantee, a move that signaled the possibility of a waiving.

The decision to waive Isaac was widely reported by NBA insiders, with Jake Fischer of The Stein Line among the first to break the news. Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel further clarified the financial specifics, noting the Magic's choice not to spread the guaranteed payment. Public reactions on social media platforms have been mixed; some fans expressed regret over Isaac's injury-plagued tenure, acknowledging his flashes of defensive brilliance, while others voiced relief at the team's move to gain financial flexibility.

Now an unrestricted free agent at 28 years old, Isaac is expected to draw interest from other teams across the league. His defensive versatility and length remain attractive attributes, though any potential role would likely be more limited given his extensive injury history. Public commentary has even suggested the Los Angeles Lakers as a possible destination, where his defensive skills could be a valuable asset to their roster. A notable incident during his time with the Magic included his public stance on not kneeling during the national anthem in the 2020 NBA bubble, though no official statements from the team or other organizations have linked this historical event to the recent waiving.

This move is considered a significant step for the Orlando Magic as they re-tool their roster and manage their salary cap. With increased financial flexibility and an open roster spot, the team is now better positioned to pursue targets in free agency. For Jonathan Isaac, it marks a pivotal moment in his career, as he seeks a new team where he can contribute, hoping to overcome the injury woes that have defined much of his professional journey.