2021-2022 Post-Mortem: Jonathan Isaac

[Knightro]

Hi everyone,

I'm going to do a poll about every player on the roster over the next few weeks leading into the draft lotto. Looking to get some general thoughts on what the Magic should do with each player moving forward.

We'll go from the guys who played the least to the guys who played the most.

Bol Bol: viewtopic.php?f=25&t=2183307

Jonathan Isaac
-Age Next Season: 25

-Contract Status: Under Contract, 3 years, $52.2M remaining

-2022-2023 Salary: $17,400,000

-Games Played with the Magic in 2021-2022: 0

-NBA Games Played: 136

-Career Stats: 9.3 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.1 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.5 BPG, .435 FG%, .330 3PT%, .797

-Last Season Played Stats: 11.9 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.4 APG, 1.6 SPG, 2.3 BPG, .470 FG%, .340 3PT%, .779 FT%

-Last Season Played Metrics: -0.6 OBPM, 2.9 DBPM, 2.3 BPM, -0.8 OFF RAPTOR, +4.8 DEF RAPTOR, +3.9 OVERALL RAPTOR



What should the Magic do with Jonathan Isaac? And please keep the non-basketball parts of the Isaac evaluation and discussion to a minimum.

[Knightro]

When he's healthy, Jonathan Isaac is one of the 5 most impactful defensive players in the NBA and absolutely worthy of being a starting PF in the NBA.

But unfortunately, there's no way to even pencil him into a rotation, much less a starting lineup at this point.

I think the Magic have no choice but to pretend he doesn't exist. If his body can hold up and he can get back on the court, then we can re-evaluate, but not until then.

He's found money if he returns. Nothing until then.

[Magicfanatic82]

I chose for him to come off the bench next season. Copy the fultz plan of starting off the bench 20 mins with no b2bs. Lets see if he holds up like that. When he sits Chuma can get those mins behind our top pick.

[orthoman]

Isaac won't be in a position to start. At best he should be used as a backup with strict minute restrictions.

Add minutes as the season progresses, but overall be very, very cautious with him.

At best, he'll be a limited backup next year, IMO.

[basketballRob]

It'll be hard to keep him on the bench because he'll likely be the most impactful player on the team.

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[The Effect]

If we can find a team dumb enough to give us something of value for him, you trade him RIGHT AWAY!

Like if a team would give up a lotto pick for him, especially one in the draft range where Agbaji is available, its a no brainer

[The Effect]

It'll be hard to keep him on the bench because he'll likely be the most impactful player on the team.

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Thats wishful thinking\blind optimism

He was an impactful DEFENSIVE player who was worthless on offense...........and that was 2 years and multiple injuries ago, he hasnt played since, he wont even be that player anymore, if he even plays more than 20 games

He wont even be as impactful as Chuma or Bamba in 2022-23

[JF5]

His value is low and he's obviously very unreliable... But also at the sametime when he's healthy he's one of the best defensive players in the league without question.

Like I understand people's skepticism and jadeness. But to me given this team's position and what we've seen from him I'm personally in no rush to give him up.

He's older, hopefully he's grown mentally and physically and is more comfortable with his body, and they've put in 2 years of work to rework is mechanics and strengthen is body to make him more durable and less injury prone. If he comes back and is able to remain healthy then WeHam look like geniuses.

This team needs all the talent they can get, and also there isn't anybody that can viably replace him on this roster at this stage.

Hopefully he comes back and is able to remain on the floor. He's a pretty good player.

[Skin]

If he's healthy you start him no question.

If he's not healthy then play him accordingly.

[ORLMagicGirl15]

Bring him off the bench starting with a 15 minute restriction. I wouldn’t be opposed to making him play in summer league (to help with conditioning) or the g-league to work on his shooting. I just hope he’s mentally and physically healthy of next season.

[purpleswordfish]

Personally, if I were the Magic, I would look at him as expendable.

If someone wants him, entertain trade offers. If not, see if he can play at all next season and maybe see if that trade value increases. But, if I had to put money on it, I'd say he'll never get fully healthy and will never make a full comeback. The Magic will probably be nice and pay him out the guarantees for the rest of his contract. So, at least he'll be set for life as long as he's good with his money.

[Bensational]

Bring him off the bench and ease his body back into regular game play. There’s plenty of opportunity to test lineups in games without committing to them. See how he holds up and who he fits with, and evaluate from there.

I’d like to see that before we talk about moving him since his trade value couldn’t be much lower than present.

Edit - a lot will depend on the draft. If we end up with Chet or Jabari then they might get developmental priority and Isaac will have to do a lot to insert his name back into that convo for minutes.

[VFX]

You start him if he’s healthy and hope to boost his trade value before he inevitably gets injured again.

[drsd]

2021-2022 Post-Mortem: Jonathan Isaac

A post-mortem examination, also known as an autopsy, is the examination of a body after death. The aim of a post-mortem is to determine the cause of death.

This is sadly fitting here. I wish I could make 20M a year to not play basketball. Heck, I'd do it for 5M. Yes Orlando paid Timofey Mozgov that this year to also not play basketball. What a country!


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[MoMM]

If we draft another frontcourt player, just trade him. We are set at frontcourt with Franz, WCJ and this new rookie.

[richi_v25]

It'd be nice to see him in summer league this year getting some reps then follow the under 20 minutes a game plan they used with Fultz to get his conditioning in. I still think he can play but not at his elite level. Unless he shows something this year i don't see him as part of our core.

[IllMagic04]

There certainly no way we should trade him. His value has to be low due to injuries. A team trading would probably want compensation for taking the risk. Lets just hope he can get back on the floor next year. He has defensive player of the year written all over him if he can get on the floor. Obviously Im not betting on him but we have no choice but to wait and see.

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[drsd]

There certainly no way we should trade him.

If Orlando drafts Smith, Banchero, or Holmgren, the Magic is probably best served to move beyond his salary line. So trading him and either the Bulls or Nuggets pick for an expiring could be a good deal for Orlando.

If the Magic drafts a guard, then yeh, there is no harm in seeing what Isaac looks like alongside F-Wagner and Carter.


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[pepe1991]

It'd be nice to see him in summer league this year getting some reps then follow the under 20 minutes a game plan they used with Fultz to get his conditioning in. I still think he can play but not at his elite level. Unless he shows something this year i don't see him as part of our core.

Book tour > basketball activities.

[tiderulz]

If we can find a team dumb enough to give us something of value for him, you trade him RIGHT AWAY!

Like if a team would give up a lotto pick for him, especially one in the draft range where Agbaji is available, its a no brainer

this is where im at