Monday night was a momentous one for the Orlando Magic, as they finally welcomed Jonathan Isaac back into the fold. Better yet, he had some really encouraging moments in nine minutes of action.
Isaac’s addition could yet be the x-factor in a push for the play-in tournament, with the Orlando Magic becoming the only team to beat the Boston Celtics three times this season in Isaac’s return.
Asking too much of him would be foolish, but he has legitimate help in the form of Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero. What is now becoming an inescapable fact however, is that the roster needs to be rejigged.
There are not enough minutes to go round for the Orlando Magic, so let us examine the three players now most likely to be moved on before the trade deadline on February 9th.
Isaac’s re-integration is not the only reason for the need to move some players out. The Magic now have a core of Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter and Markelle Fultz who are growing together at a nice pace.
It is now on the front office to put the best players they can, both veterans and those with potential, around those four.
Isaac is obviously exempt from trade right now as well, because it is not yet known just how much he can help this group. His first game back though, was wildly encouraging.
But the clock is ticking toward the trade deadline. And while Orlando is not expected to be aggressive at the deadline, nor are they expected to sell pieces off, they can still get some work done to clear up the roster and push toward this team’s future.