NBA Trade Rumors: Mavs Interested in Magic PF Jonathan Isaac?

The Dallas Mavericks are seeking help on the defensive end. Could that result in a trade for Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac?

Jeremy Brener | Apr 28, 2023

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Orlando Magic

ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic is assessing every piece of its roster and figuring out how its personnel can improve going into next season.

This evaluation might include some cost-benefit analysis with potential trades the team could make this summer.

Bleacher Report suggested a bold trade that could happen may involve the Magic and Dallas Mavericks. In the deal, Dallas would send Davis Bertans and a lottery-protected 2027 first-round pick to Orlando for Jonathan Isaac.

"Isaac may never be able to stay healthy, but his ceiling remains high. He's exactly the kind of dynamic havoc-wreaker the Mavs defense lacks. When fit, he can plug holes all over the floor and disrupt opposing offenses with his length," Bleacher Report writes. "The elite block and steal rates that defined Isaac's career persisted in his cameo this season before an abdominal injury shelved him again. Bertans' onerous deal will pay him $33 million over the next two years (player option for 2024-25), but he can still stripe it from deep. With Isaac having played just 11 games since 2020, the Magic might prefer someone with better odds of contributing."

Isaac is competing for playing at the power forward position in Orlando and Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero is blocking his way towards the starting lineup. However, the Magic likely won't be trading Isaac anytime soon.

"I fully anticipate Jonathan to roll with us and be an important guy for us next year," Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman said.

Isaac may not start for the Magic, but Orlando has invested significant time and money towards him despite his setbacks. With all of his pros and cons into consideration, he should be a key contributor for the Magic this upcoming season.

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Published Apr 28, 2023

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.