5 early Orlando Magic 2022 offseason storylines to watch

5 Orlando Magic offseason storylines

Jonathan Isaac’s recovery

The biggest story entering the Orlando Magic’s 2022 season was Jonathan Isaac’s health.

At least at that point of the season, Isaac was seemingly the only player with an elite skill he could put on the floor. It seemed like seeing him return from a torn ACL was essential to the team’s foundation. They needed to know who Isaac still was and how he fit into the bigger plans the team had in store.

That obviously did not happen. Isaac missed the entire 2022 season, his second straight on the shelf after tearing his ACL in August 2020. He even needed a surgical procedure on his hamstring just about a month ago that officially shut him down the rest of the season.

The lack of updates and the length of Isaac’s recovery have only added to the frustration among fans.

Isaac can only go as fast as his body lets him recover. As frustrating as that reality is.

The pressure though is now clearly on. Franz Wagner plays the same position and the players at the top of this draft also play the same forward position. Isaac has gone from a clear part of this team’s future and perhaps a core piece to someone who has a lot to prove as he recovers from his injury.

Isaac’s place on the team is not so guaranteed anymore. Isaac has a lot to prove when he gets back on the floor.

That question is still when. It might verge on if.

Orlando is not likely to give many updates on Isaac’s recovery. It is not like the team has to this point.

The Magic may have him practice with the team at Summer League if he is ready. But that likely would not be super public. The next word we hear on Isaac might be an update a few weeks before training camp announcing he is fully cleared — much the same way the team eased the pressure off Markelle Fultz before his return.

But with Isaac not playing at all during the 2022 season. The question carries over now as the team waits for him to return.