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4 Orlando Magic players looking for a career resurgence

By Patrick Previty

Markelle Fultz continues to make the most of his minutes as the Orlando Magic's season begins to wind down. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Markelle Fultz continues to make the most of his minutes as the Orlando Magic's season begins to wind down. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jonathan Isaac, Orlando Magic
Jonathan Isaac’s return to the court will provide a big boost to the Orlando Magic. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports /

4 Orlando Magic players in need of a career resurgence

Jonathan Isaac

Jonathan Isaac has been out of sight and out of mind for most NBA fans since he suffered an ACL tear back in 2020 in the bubble.

But Orlando Magic fans cannot wait to see their highest-paid player back on the court.

Jonathan Isaac, just like Markelle Fultz, has struggled to stay healthy and his progress has been hindered by nagging injuries. One of which includes a minor hamstring surgery during his ACL rehab.

In his first three years, Isaac averaged about 45 games played per year. His only healthy season came back in 2019 when he played 75 games and he has only played 136 games in his four years in the NBA.

In the season before he got hurt, he showed glimpses of the type of player he could really be.

During that 2020 season, Isaac was a defensive force averaging 2.3 blocks per game and 1.6 steals per game. He also improved across the board in points, rebounds and assists per game from the previous season.

Isaac can be the anchor for the Magic, especially on defense where he has All-Defensive team potential But showing promise is not enough anymore.

Next year he will have to prove he can play with Wendell Carter, a player on the Magic who has actually stepped up and shown they can produce on the court.

Jonathan Isaac will also be subject to the same scrutiny and watchful eye that Mo Bamba was under this past year. AND Isaac must build chemistry with Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner, all players he has not played a single game with.

If Isaac cannot click almost immediately or suffers another injury setback, that could spell doom for the once-prized 24-year-old.