poll: will Isaac be a Magician on opening night?

[drsd]

Given that is essentially certain the Magic draft a PF this year, the odd-man out is Isaac - or the rookie. It is one or the other!

Some of us here are high on Isaac (i.e. some of the You's) and some us us are not (e.g. me and pepe).

Should the Magic simply trade Isaac prepatorialy for their new PF? Or is he the kind of player to start on opening night?

[jezzerinho]

I voted "yes"because there is no way the FO sell him at the bottom of his market. Whether that should be the case or not is another question.

[VFX]

Yes.

He has little trade value right now because he hasn’t played basketball in forever. They aren’t going to move him for scraps.

If you were to ask this question about next season though I think the answer would be different. He became a trade chip the minute Orlando landed in the top 3 of this draft.

[Skybox]

IF there was an offer that valued him as he would be healthy, I'd have to listen but, as everyone would/should say that's unlikely without showing the league he's back...Trade deadline is a better point of discussion.

I don't think he's the odd man out at all, He should be our starting Center if he's healthy. He's the biggest X factor presently on the roster. His presence (as always-IF HEALTHY) is truly disruptive and key to our defensive identity. He can also move from 3-5 and, on switches, cover 1-5...His versatility makes me see no reason to move him without a significant offer. He could, at least, be a 6moy off the bench as a lockdown specialist to be applied in different ways each game depending on matchups, etc.

Again, I can't stop with my "position less" vibe and he's an example of a guy who can cause havoc to an opponent's offensive plans.

[tiderulz]

IF there was an offer that valued him as he would be healthy, I'd have to listen but, as everyone would/should say that's unlikely without showing the league he's back...Trade deadline is a better point of discussion.

I don't think he's the odd man out at all, He should be our starting Center if he's healthy. He's the biggest X factor presently on the roster. His presence (as always-IF HEALTHY) is truly disruptive and key to our defensive identity. He can also move from 3-5 and, on switches, cover 1-5...His versatility makes me see no reason to move him without a significant offer. He could, at least, be a 6moy off the bench as a lockdown specialist to be applied in different ways each game depending on matchups, etc.

Again, I can't stop with my "position less" vibe and he's an example of a guy who can cause havoc to an opponent's offensive plans.

im not sure about that anymore with the knee and leg issues. we'll need to see if he can actually cover 3's anymore.

[Skybox]

IF there was an offer that valued him as he would be healthy, I'd have to listen but, as everyone would/should say that's unlikely without showing the league he's back...Trade deadline is a better point of discussion.

I don't think he's the odd man out at all, He should be our starting Center if he's healthy. He's the biggest X factor presently on the roster. His presence (as always-IF HEALTHY) is truly disruptive and key to our defensive identity. He can also move from 3-5 and, on switches, cover 1-5...His versatility makes me see no reason to move him without a significant offer. He could, at least, be a 6moy off the bench as a lockdown specialist to be applied in different ways each game depending on matchups, etc.

Again, I can't stop with my "position less" vibe and he's an example of a guy who can cause havoc to an opponent's offensive plans.

im not sure about that anymore with the knee and leg issues. we'll need to see if he can actually cover 3's anymore.

Of course, that point renders ANY discussion of Isaac's value/trajectory completely pointless for now

[Knightro]

There's no point in trading Isaac right now unless the Magic are doing a straight salary dump into someone's cap space and then plan to turn around and spend the money they saved on free agents this summer.

Since that seems unlikely, I have to imagine Isaac's a near lock to be on the roster in 22-23.

After this season, if he's still a mess physically, or if his injuries have destroy his ability, the Magic can just release him see some significant financial savings for 23-24 and beyond.

[cedric76]

100% sure yes

[Statlanta]

Yes, Front Office doesn't have the stones to trade their administration's 1st real decision post-Hennigan.

[Nyce_1]

Yes, Front Office doesn't have the stones to trade their administration's 1st real decision post-Hennigan.

what makes you think that?

[Bergmaniac]

Of course. No team would trade for a player with a big contract who's been out for 2 years.

[RichCollab]

Zero value to trade at this point. Keep him. He isn’t a full time starter until he plays into shape.

[thelead]

If he's healthy, the real question is, who's coming off the bench once JI's 'rust' is off? Our highest paid player (JI), WCj (our second most consistent player), or our #1 pick (would be a stupid but VERY Orlando Magic thing to do).

[Magicman125]

I voted maybe, but I do believe he will be on the team opening night. I just think he's a candidate to showcase for a trade around the deadline depending how NBA ready our draft pick(s) look(s).

[MagicFan12345]

Did you forget Magic signed Isaac to a 4 year contract last summer? No team is going to want his contract with his injury history

[Knightro]

If he's healthy, the real question is, who's coming off the bench once JI's 'rust' is off? Our highest paid player (JI), WCj (our second most consistent player), or our #1 pick (would be a stupid but VERY Orlando Magic thing to do).

This is a good problem to have because theoretically all three of the possible two-man pairings seem like they'll be able to play together.

Isaac PF
Carter C

No. 1 pick PF
Carter C

No. 1 Pick PF
Isaac C

This is assuming Isaac's going to transition more into a 4/5 role then the 4/3 he was earlier in his career.

Jabari probably has 4/3 ability compared to Chet who is probably more of a 4/5.

[PrimeThyme]

Unless there are talks of Ben Shapiro buying an NBA franchise that I’m unaware of, we’re stuck with him and his contract.

[VFX]

If he's healthy, the real question is, who's coming off the bench once JI's 'rust' is off? Our highest paid player (JI), WCj (our second most consistent player), or our #1 pick (would be a stupid but VERY Orlando Magic thing to do).

This is a good problem to have because theoretically all three of the possible two-man pairings seem like they'll be able to play together.

Isaac PF
Carter C

No. 1 pick PF
Carter C

No. 1 Pick PF
Isaac C

This is assuming Isaac's going to transition more into a 4/5 role then the 4/3 he was earlier in his career.

Jabari probably has 4/3 ability compared to Chet who is probably more of a 4/5.

This is 100% going to be the scenario going into the season.

It gives the rookie a good amount of minutes as well as helps Isaac ease back into his role.

I can see them moving Isaac once the #1 pick can prove they can hold their own.

[Knightro]

This is 100% going to be the scenario going into the season.

It gives the rookie a good amount of minutes as well as helps Isaac ease back into his role.

I can see them moving Isaac once the #1 pick can prove they can hold their own.

I agree. I think if Isaac's able to play when the season begins the rotation is going to look something like this...

Starters: Fultz, Suggs, Wagner, No. 1 Pick, Carter
Reserves: Anthony, Hampton, Okeke, Isaac

As the top 9 guys. I think Bamba's gonna be allowed to walk. Maybe they'll offer Gary Harris a big 1-year-deal to be in the rotation in Hampton's spot or perhaps in addition to Hampton as a 10th man.

But I don't expect them to aggressively spend money. They'll sign some veterans, but they'll be guys on one year deals like Lopez last year.

[VFX]

This is 100% going to be the scenario going into the season.

It gives the rookie a good amount of minutes as well as helps Isaac ease back into his role.

I can see them moving Isaac once the #1 pick can prove they can hold their own.

I agree. I think if Isaac's able to play when the season begins the rotation is going to look something like this...

Starters: Fultz, Suggs, Wagner, No. 1 Pick, Carter
Reserves: Anthony, Hampton, Okeke, Isaac

As the top 9 guys. I think Bamba's gonna be allowed to walk. Maybe they'll offer Gary Harris a big 1-year-deal to be in the rotation in Hampton's spot or perhaps in addition to Hampton as a 10th man.

But I don't expect them to aggressively spend money. They'll sign some veterans, but they'll be guys on one year deals like Lopez last year.

Pretty much.

Hammond's comment about "not rushing the rebuild" in that interview pretty much insinuates they aren't planning on throwing a bunch of money at someone in free agency, or pushing the chips in right now, until they know what they have.

I just despise the idea of hanging on to washed vets, and overpaying them, simply because Orlando HAS to spend money. They should still be trying to find talent where possible and attempting to find value elsewhere.

If Isaac returns to any semblance of his prior form I could see this team winning some games. Which could be great because it'll boost his trade value. If not, at least he could be a role player for Orlando because he should absolutely not be starting over Franz or #1.