Overview
- The Orlando Magic waived Jonathan Isaac on Saturday to stop an $8 million partial guarantee from converting into a fully guaranteed $14.5 million salary for 2026–27.
- Isaac will become an unrestricted free agent who can begin negotiating with teams at 6 p.m. on Tuesday and may sign new contracts when the league’s free-agent signings open on July 6.
- By cutting Isaac the Magic created roster flexibility and moved payroll under the NBA’s second apron, reducing their projected luxury-tax bill from about $16.5 million to roughly $10 million.
- The move opens multiple standard roster spots for Orlando, which recently selected Izaiyah Nelson at No. 51 and still must decide on Jamal Cain’s second-year team option.
- Isaac spent nine seasons in Orlando marked by long absences from knee injuries and a shift toward a heavier, more interior role that coincided with steep declines in his 3-point shooting and rebounding, and he is also known for leadership off the court through his faith-based work and public stances.