The Orlando Magic have decided to part ways with Jonathan Isaac ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season.
Despite being the sixth overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Jonathan Isaac never reached the potential that the Orlando Magic had hoped for him to reach.
However, that is not the only reason why the Magic are parting ways with Isaac after nine years. Instead, it has something to do with the team’s finances.
Bobby Marks explains why the Orlando Magic waived Jonathan Isaac
ESPN’s front office expert Bobby Marks wrote a detailed explanation on X behind the Magic’s reasoning for waiving Isaac.
“The $14.5M contract of Jonathan Isaac was set to become guaranteed on June 28. There is $8M in protection,” Marks said.
He added, “Orlando is allowed to stretch the salary over 7 seasons (3 years remaining x 2 +1) If the salary is stretched, he would not be allowed to sign with the Magic.”
With the Magic hoping to contend for NBA Championships with Paolo Banchero as their leader, it only makes sense to keep cap space over employing an injury-prone forward.
Waiving Jonathan Isaac brings down the Orlando Magic’s luxury tax bill
In another X post, Marks further explained how waiving Isaac would help the Magic in keeping their finances in check.
“Orlando is $9.5M over the luxury tax and $2.9M above the first apron with the waiver,” Marks stated.
Right now, the Magic have the fourth-highest paid roster in the league, and being over the first apron would mean paying about $10.3 million in taxes.
Keeping that in mind, it’s important for the Magic to compete for an NBA Championship in order to justify such an expensive roster.
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