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By Matt Audilet
Contributing Sports Writer
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The Orlando Magic announced their decision to waive NBA veteran Jonathan Isaac on Saturday.
Isaac joined the Magic as the team's No. 6 overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft. But since that lottery selection, he's ultimately failed to live up to expectations.
Isaac missed back-to-back seasons in 2020-21 and 2021-22 as he recovered from a torn left ACL injury. The 6-foot-10 forward missed the final 17 games of the 2025-26 regular season with a left knee sprain he suffered in March, missing the Magic's first-round playoff series loss to the No. 1 seed Detroit Pistons.
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Isaac was set to earn a guaranteed $14.5 million in 2026-27. The Magic saved $6.5 million by cutting him before Sunday, according to ESPN NBA insider Bobby Marks.
Isaac was the Magic's longest tenured player before this decision. That title now belongs to 29-year-old center Moritz Wagner, who joined the team midway through the 2020-21 season.
Isaac averaged 2.6 points and 2.5 rebounds through 10 minutes per game with the Magic in 2025-26, making 52 game appearances. He could re-sign with Orlando if he doesn't sign elsewhere in free agency.
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The Magic are strong at the forward position, rostering Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner — both of whom averaged more than 20 points per game last season. The team also has Wendell Carter Jr. and Tristan da Silva as key contributors in the front court.
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