The Orlando Magic have waived forward Jonathan Isaac, ending a seven-season tenure with the franchise as the organization continues reshaping its roster under new head coach Sean Sweeney.
NBA insider Michael Scotto reported Saturday that Orlando waived Isaac despite owing him $8 million in guaranteed money for the 2026-27 season. Isaac had been scheduled to earn $14.5 million next season, while the final two years of his contract were non-guaranteed. The move makes the 28-year-old unrestricted free agent immediately.
The decision marks another significant offseason change for a Magic team that reached the 2026 Play-In Tournament before finishing with a 45-37 record and losing to the top-seeded Detroit Pistons in seven games during the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Orlando also replaced head coach Jamahl Mosley with Sean Sweeney earlier this offseason, signaling a new direction after back-to-back postseason appearances.
Isaac’s role had diminished considerably during the 2025-26 campaign. He appeared in 52 games but did not make a start, averaging just 10.0 minutes per contest. He posted 2.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, 0.6 blocks and 0.4 steals while shooting 42.2% from the field and 18.4% from three-point range. His limited offensive production reflected a reduced place in Orlando’s rotation behind a young, established core.
Over seven seasons with the Magic, the former No. 6 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft averaged 6.8 points and 4.5 rebounds. His career was repeatedly interrupted by major injuries, preventing him from establishing the consistent impact that made him one of the league’s most promising young defensive forwards early in his career.
The Magic appear well-positioned to absorb Isaac’s departure from a basketball standpoint. Paolo Banchero continued to lead the team in 2025-26 with 22.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game, while Franz Wagner averaged 20.6 points despite being limited to 34 games. Orlando also received 20.1 points per game from Desmond Bane after acquiring the veteran guard, giving the club one of the Eastern Conference’s stronger offensive trios.
The frontcourt remains anchored by Wendell Carter Jr., who averaged 11.8 points and 7.4 rebounds across 78 games, while Tristan Da Silva emerged as a dependable rotation forward by averaging 9.9 points and shooting 37.4% from three-point range in 77 appearances. Those developments reduced the need for Isaac’s defensive specialization, particularly given his limited availability and declining offensive role.
