Orlando Magic Daily
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Five questions for the 2017-18 Orlando Magic’s third quarter

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 18: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Utah Jazz on November 18, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 18: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Utah Jazz on November 18, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Jonathan Isaac, Orlando Magic
DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 17: Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic warms up prior to the start of the game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on December 17, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

Will anyone come back from injury?

The Orlando Magic’s season has been riddled with injuries. There is no getting around it. The Magic might have ended up out of the Playoff picture anyway and they may not have been a playoff team regardless, but the injuries did not help.

Orlando was not a team that could afford to lose any of its key players. This was a team that had a small margin of error even when healthy. They clearly had potential, but one thing easily could knock them off their perch.

And a couple things were clearly enough to send them stumbling and falling deep into a pit.

With the trade deadline coming up, everyone is wondering when the Magic might see some of these players return. Terrence Ross and Nikola Vucevic have two of the most tradeable contracts on the roster. They are reasonable for their production (about $12 million each) with just one more additional year.

If the Magic were looking to make major moves this trade deadline, it might be difficult to move either of these players with their injuries. And it is still uncertain when they will come back.

Terrence Ross has been out since Nov. 29 is traveling with the team again. He told Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel he is likely to start running again in a week or two. That might bring him back sometime in March or after the All-Star Break.

Vucevic’s original prognosis for his fractured left hand would have him back in early February or near the All-Star Break. It seems Vucevic is set to come back around then.

Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic /

Orlando Magic

Although, with the team losing the Magic may be willing to let him take his time in a return.

And Jonathan Isaac is still working his way back from a sprained ankle that seems to be much worse. He is out indefinitely while the Magic put him through a rehab program. He is at least back on the court taking jumpers, although it does not appear he is doing any running or cutting quite yet.

The Magic would like to see their team back at even semi-full strength at some point. Just to restore some trade value or provide the stability the team has missed since Thanksgiving.

Orlando would not mind seeing the team back even for a little while. But it also does not seem like they are in any rush to bring them back either. When they are healthy they will play.

In Jonathan Isaac’s case, especially, the Magic surely want to see him play before the end of the season. Orlando has to start building up his confidence and giving him more responsibility.

Being out this long is going to lead to some regression. And Isaac needs a productive summer. Losing his rookie year is the last thing his development needed. Salvaging something from it — for a core player — is essential.