Orlando Magic: The Jonathan Isaac situation is getting weird

Players can do what they want with their time and money, and it is not the craziest thing that has ever happened. But the timing, again if true, is off. The defensive ability of Isaac has never been in question, yet newcomers like Carter Jr., and the reclamation of Bamba, are making that potential seem less exciting.

If Isaac were healthy again today, would he even start for the Magic? For all of the vaccine questions and choosing to stand when most were kneeling for social justice, Isaac has only started in 106 games for the franchise since being drafted (playing in 136 altogether). To put that into context, that is less even than Arron Afflalo (140 starts and 190 games) who it felt was only with the team for a small period of time.

By no means should the Magic be ready to move on from Isaac, but it seems like the healthy players are kind of doing that organically right now. This version of the team is among the most fun we’ve had since 2012. They’re young, likable, and are easy to root for. Isaac wouldn’t take away from that too much, but his delayed return to action at 15 months and counting is bizarre.

There was a moment in time where Jonathan Isaac looked like the cornerstone for the Orlando Magic. Injuries have derailed his career, and when he returns it will likely be in a different kind of role. That’s if he gets back at all, as this is surely a story we have not heard the last of yet.