The “minister of defence” is staying in Orlando.
Jonathan Isaac and the Magic have reportedly agreed to a five-year, $84 million extension, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
A year before the former sixth overall pick in 2017 was set to hit unrestricted free agency, the Magic decided to lock him up for an additional five seasons. He’s been with Orlando for all seven years of his NBA career.
Isaac, 26, is coming off his healthiest stint since 2020 after missing two full seasons (2020-22) due to ACL injuries. In the 2023-24 season, the six-foot-10 forward averaged 6.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks through 15.8 minutes of action in 58 games.
The Florida State product has been considered one of the league’s best on-ball defenders since entering the league but his stagnating offensive game, and various injury-riddled stretches, have held back an otherwise premier 3-and-D option.
He hasn’t played more than 60 games in the NBA besides his sophomore season and has averaged double-digit points (11.9) just once.
Orlando will hope Isaac can continue hitting 51 per cent of his field goals and 37.5 per cent of his threes, like he did last season, as he’ll now remain a serviceable rotation piece behind their core duo of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner for the foreseeable future.
The pair of stars led the Magic to 47 wins last season and their first playoff appearance in four seasons.
Signing Isaac was the latest move for what’s been a busy offseason for Orlando. They’ve also brought back Mo Wagner (two-years, $22-million), Garry Harris (two-years, $14-million), Goga Bitadze (three-years, $25-million), while adding Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (three-years, $66-million).