2021-2022 Post-Mortem: Jonathan Isaac

[orthoman]

I agree with the poster who said that we should consider "Isaac as someone who doesn't exist". Isaac's been off the court so long any reference to him as a Magic asset is irrelevant. So let's put him in the category that "he doesn't exist" and IF he emerges as a nice sub off the bench it is a win-win for us.

Isaac is a walking "candy cane" or "iclicle" that can break at any location at any time...he is our secret weapon.

I saw him at Florida State...same scenario...plays one day, out the next,

[axl_c_cool]

He'll for sure be coming off the bench on a minutes restriction. His trade value will never be lower. He's MKG after MKG got his extension. Just a lot of defensive potential owed several millions of dollars who can't stay healthy to realize it. Maybe they recoup some value by giving him spot minutes next year, but protect the asset by not letting him play more than 20 minutes per game. I also don't see how he fits as a starter if the Magic end up with any of Holmgren, Smith, Banchero, or even Murray. I have more belief in Bol Bol than Isaac at this point.

Isaac isn't a starter with those guys drafted. It's time to move on from him, no more than a bench forward at best now

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[thelead]

Some of these posts might be sig-worthy by this time next year.

[Skybox]

If he's healthy you start him no question.

If he's not healthy then play him accordingly.

I can't understand any other take here...these are medical questions, why are people talking about how many minutes he should play?

This does not mean I think he will be 100% or will never play again. Just like everyone here, I have no f**king idea. People with injuries have never been the same, other people with injuries were fine...is this a medical forum?

[Skin]

Some of these posts might be sig-worthy by this time next year.

Ha ha, yeah... Here's mine.

Jonathan Isaac for Most Improved Player in 20223-23. All haters will eat crow.

Markelle Fultz / Cole Anthony
Jaden Ivey / Jalen Suggs
Franz Wagner / Chuma Okeke
Jonathan Isaac / Bol Bol
Wendell Carter Jr / Mo Bamba / Mo Wagner

Hello Playoffs!!!

[pepe1991]

Some of these posts might be sig-worthy by this time next year.

Ha ha, yeah... Here's mine.

Jonathan Isaac for Most Improved Player in 20223-23. All haters will eat crow.

Markelle Fultz / Cole Anthony
Jaden Ivey / Jalen Suggs
Franz Wagner / Chuma Okeke
Jonathan Isaac / Bol Bol
Wendell Carter Jr / Mo Bamba / Mo Wagner

Hello Playoffs!!!

Yea, by the 20223 some Isaac might turn into MIP

[The Effect]

An elite defensive player with an improving offensive game. No reason to let him go at this point. Makes sense to give him one last attempt to show he can stay healthy. It’s really **** how injuries have derailed his career.

How many attempts to we have to give him to prove he can stay healthy?
Hes been in the league 6 years and has been injured in 5 of them, and only once ever playing more 34 games in a season
Sorry but the "give him one last attempt to showed he can stay healthy" option was over a LONGGG time ago

Also, improved offensive game? Based on what exactly?

it just seems kinda weird to be THIS adamant about moving him at this point since he’s not really hurting the team. He’s under contract, nobody’s signing here. Give him one last chance. It’s not THAT crazy of a concept. I’m assuming he has little value around the L based on his injury history..IDK… and really nobody here does but it’s a fair assumption.

His improving offensive game…. I mean he shot the ball a little better. I’m not saying he’s a world beater on offense.

I've been adamant about trading him for a while, probably before his last injury and have never understood the hype with him dating back to the draft. People here really believed he was a superior talent to guys like Tatum

Too be people here have become so desperate for a star that they romanticized his game. He's essentially a 7ft Bruce bowen and to some here who only care about defense, that makes him a superstar, but in reality he's a role player who will be our highest paid player next year while playing less than 35% of available games over a 5 year span

To say "no one will sign here anyway" is the biggest cop out. You mean to tell me that players are scoffing at 20m next year because we were bad this year? Sure we aren't signing Bradley Beal or kyrie this off season but that 17+ mil can go a long way to adding real talent to this team, talent that will actually play and contribute

Personally I see no benefit in keeping a guy who you can't count on to stay healthy and who seems to care more about off court interests than playing basketball. I don't see him doing anything next year to up his trade value and we might as get something for him this year instead of nothing for him next year (after he proves he's a role player or\and gets hurt again)


Btw he might of had a slight improved jumper..... But that was 2 years ago, he hasn't played since and been deal with leg injury, you can't assume his shot will be the same when he comes back, let alone improved

[tiderulz]

How many attempts to we have to give him to prove he can stay healthy?
Hes been in the league 6 years and has been injured in 5 of them, and only once ever playing more 34 games in a season
Sorry but the "give him one last attempt to showed he can stay healthy" option was over a LONGGG time ago

Also, improved offensive game? Based on what exactly?

it just seems kinda weird to be THIS adamant about moving him at this point since he’s not really hurting the team. He’s under contract, nobody’s signing here. Give him one last chance. It’s not THAT crazy of a concept. I’m assuming he has little value around the L based on his injury history..IDK… and really nobody here does but it’s a fair assumption.

His improving offensive game…. I mean he shot the ball a little better. I’m not saying he’s a world beater on offense.

I've been adamant about trading him for a while, probably before his last injury and have never understood the hype with him dating back to the draft. People here really believed he was a superior talent to guys like Tatum

Too be people here have become so desperate for a star that they romanticized his game. He's essentially a 7ft Bruce bowen and to some here who only care about defense, that makes him a superstar, but in reality he's a role player who will be our highest paid player next year while playing less than 35% of available games over a 5 year span

To say "no one will sign here anyway" is the biggest cop out. You mean to tell me that players are scoffing at 20m next year because we were bad this year? Sure we aren't signing Bradley Beal or kyrie this off season but that 17+ mil can go a long way to adding real talent to this team, talent that will actually play and contribute

Personally I see no benefit in keeping a guy who you can't count on to stay healthy and who seems to care more about off court interests than playing basketball. I don't see him doing anything next year to up his trade value and we might as get something for him this year instead of nothing for him next year (after he proves he's a role player or\and gets hurt again)


Btw he might of had a slight improved jumper..... But that was 2 years ago, he hasn't played since and been deal with leg injury, you can't assume his shot will be the same when he comes back, let alone improved

you also cant assume his defense will be the same either. with all the injuries, he may have lost some agility and mobility

[Skybox]

People here really believed he was a superior talent to guys like Tatum

I sure don't remember reading that one

I don't see him doing anything next year to up his trade value and we might as get something for him this year instead of nothing for him next year (after he proves he's a role player or\and gets hurt again)

Right now, he's got ZERO trade value...in a year, it'll still be zero or more. No point in dumping him now

[MartinsIzAfraud]

If Isaac doesn’t play 80% of games this next year I hope we find a way to rid his salary when FA 23 is stacked with talent.

[yoyojw17]

Some of these posts might be sig-worthy by this time next year.

Ha ha, yeah... Here's mine.

Jonathan Isaac for Most Improved Player in 20223-23. All haters will eat crow.

Markelle Fultz / Cole Anthony
Jaden Ivey / Jalen Suggs
Franz Wagner / Chuma Okeke
Jonathan Isaac / Bol Bol
Wendell Carter Jr / Mo Bamba / Mo Wagner

Hello Playoffs!!!

Right there with on this one on all accounts! lineup and all.

[swarlesbarkley]

Jaden McDaniels is basically the new ceiling for JI in my mind.

Over 60% of his NBA career has been rehabbing at this point - that rehab time is typically spent trying to get back to where he was pre-injuries rather than being able to work on and expand his game. We will be lucky if his defense is the same as it was in 2019-20 with all these leg injuries and I think there's very little chance he's improved on the offensive side.

Prove me wrong, JI!

[VFX]

WHEN Isaac doesn’t play 80% of games this next year I hope we find a way to rid his salary when FA 23 is stacked with talent.

fify

[The Effect]

it just seems kinda weird to be THIS adamant about moving him at this point since he’s not really hurting the team. He’s under contract, nobody’s signing here. Give him one last chance. It’s not THAT crazy of a concept. I’m assuming he has little value around the L based on his injury history..IDK… and really nobody here does but it’s a fair assumption.

His improving offensive game…. I mean he shot the ball a little better. I’m not saying he’s a world beater on offense.

I've been adamant about trading him for a while, probably before his last injury and have never understood the hype with him dating back to the draft. People here really believed he was a superior talent to guys like Tatum

Too be people here have become so desperate for a star that they romanticized his game. He's essentially a 7ft Bruce bowen and to some here who only care about defense, that makes him a superstar, but in reality he's a role player who will be our highest paid player next year while playing less than 35% of available games over a 5 year span

To say "no one will sign here anyway" is the biggest cop out. You mean to tell me that players are scoffing at 20m next year because we were bad this year? Sure we aren't signing Bradley Beal or kyrie this off season but that 17+ mil can go a long way to adding real talent to this team, talent that will actually play and contribute

Personally I see no benefit in keeping a guy who you can't count on to stay healthy and who seems to care more about off court interests than playing basketball. I don't see him doing anything next year to up his trade value and we might as get something for him this year instead of nothing for him next year (after he proves he's a role player or\and gets hurt again)


Btw he might of had a slight improved jumper..... But that was 2 years ago, he hasn't played since and been deal with leg injury, you can't assume his shot will be the same when he comes back, let alone improved

you also cant assume his defense will be the same either. with all the injuries, he may have lost some agility and mobility

Yup, 1000% correct, and ive said the same on multiple occasions and people will try and say that his game isnt predicated on speed\athleticism etc

[The Effect]

Go back to the pre draft stuff, people were bashing tatum and saying that isaac was the better prospect because of his defense and his KD-Like ability on offense ( )

And youre wrong, he probably still has SOME trade value. It wont be high, but he can still fetch you something in return

But when we hold on to him, and he either underperforms or gets hurt again, he will likely be released for nothing and we wont get any real savings for the 23 FA class

[DiplomaticMagic]

Isaac is perfect fit next to WCJ. So I am very hopeful he can come back and start.

[Hogified05]

Does anyone have any updates on Isaac?

He was on TimCast the other day. They briefly touched on his injury. Said he hurt his hamstring on the comeback trail which is good it wasn't his knee again. Said they just run out of time to come back...which makes it sound like he would have suited up if he didn't pull his hammy. (Side note he is a joy to listen to get interviewed in longform like that. He goes a bit hard on the God stuff but he has real conviction and is extremely articulate for how young he is, I admire that)

Im a JI guy. If we are anywhere decent he will win DPOTY easily. I've never seen anyone effect games defensively like him and the couple games he played in the bubble his offense was starting to get me excited. Then pop goes the knee . I personally would like to give him another year but I get it if we trade him. If we draft Chet, Jabari or Paulo we are probably going have to make a move. I'd like to move Bamba before JI, just my personal taste. JI gives us what Bamba can X2. He is a better defender and a bit more versitile and I like Wendall as the 5. Bamba has improved but I'd like my 7 footer to a least have some sort of a post up game.

I dunno whatever happens I get it. I think we gotta move one of the guard and one of the big dudes eventually. Nobody is untouchable. I just want to see good team for once whoever it is.

[drsd]

If Isaac doesn’t play 80% of games this next year I hope we find a way to rid his salary when FA 23 is stacked with talent.

Isaac is accounting for only 9.9% of the projected cap. So at worse his contract is fine. But there are indeed all kinds of protections reported.


..

[paperboymafia]

Start off on the bench / minutes restriction; if/when he proves he can reach the right level again then should be a lock in the starting 5.

[Skybox]

Isaac is perfect fit next to WCJ. So I am very hopeful he can come back and start.

I agree but I also see Isaac as a great fit next to Jabari or Banchero, could be an interesting re-shuffle coming if Isaac is healthy.
-WCJ could potentially back up both positions and play with either (when the rookie is ready to go big)
-Isaac could back up both positions (really all 3 front court spots)
-someone could get moved between Isaac and WCJ...Isaac is at all time low value, WCJ all time high
-Isaac's prognosis and WCJ's emergence let's us trade down or out or draft a guard/wing

So much depends on Isaac's return, he brings such an unusual and elite defensive skill set...if he starts hitting 3's at a high clip, he's potentially a BIG piece on a great team.