In the NBA, a player's fate is often determined by their talent. Some become superstars through their natural abilities, while others, despite constant injuries and low attendance rates, continue to receive the favor of teams and lucrative contracts. Take Jonathan Isaac as an example. This talented forward, selected sixth overall in the 2017 draft, has had a bumpy career so far but remains viewed by the Magic as a "future cornerstone." What is puzzling is that Isaac's career attendance rate is extremely low, even struggling to complete a full season. However, the Magic still have faith in him: from a four-year, 80millioncontractextensiontoanotherfive−year,84 million deal this summer, keeping him with the team. Why is the Magic willing to invest $160 million in this "glass man"? Let's delve into the reasons.
Jonathan Isaac was highly anticipated from the moment he entered the league. Standing at 2.11 meters tall with an impressive wingspan and agile movement, he possesses both offensive and defensive talents. However, health issues have always been his biggest enemy. Throughout his career, he only played more than 70 games in the 2018-19 season; in other seasons, his appearances never exceeded 35 games, and there were even two seasons where he did not play at all. Especially since the 2019-20 season, Isaac suffered serious injuries consecutively. He first tore his left knee ligament and then reinjured himself during pre-season training in 2021, missing two entire seasons. Even after recovering, his playing time was strictly limited, averaging only 16 minutes last season, which undoubtedly raises doubts about whether he is worth the Magic's significant investment.
If we calculate based on attendance rate, Isaac's actual number of games per season is minimal. In the past four years, he has only played 96 games, averaging 24 games per year, equivalent to playing one game every 7.5 days. For the NBA, where the rhythm is 3-4 games a week, Isaac's attendance can be considered "rare." Despite this, the Magic not only did not give up on him but also signed him to another five-year, 84millionlong−termcontractthissummer.Atotalinvestmentof160 million has brought them a "glass man." This may be unimaginable for other players, but Isaac has managed to do it.
The answer can be summarized in two words: "talent." Jonathan Isaac's physical conditions and basketball skills make him a gamble the Magic are willing to take.
Isaac stands at 2.11 meters tall with a wingspan of 2.16 meters, slender yet flexible. He can play multiple positions, possessing comprehensive skills on offense: capable of shooting facing the basket, breaking through, and handling the ball; on defense, his awareness is outstanding, able to grab rebounds, protect the paint, and switch to the perimeter, almost the perfect template for a modern "3D" player.
Isaac's talent is not just talk; the 2019-20 season was the best testament to his peak state. That season, he averaged 28.8 minutes per game, contributing 11.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.5 steals, and 2.3 blocks, with a shooting percentage of 47% and a three-point percentage of 34%. These statistics already demonstrate his immense potential on both ends of the court.
Especially on defense, Isaac is elite. His average of 2.3 blocks per game ranks among the top in the league, and he can also contribute 1.5 steals. His defensive impact is directly reflected in the data: under Isaac's defense, opponents' shooting percentage drops by 4.3%; when he is on the court, the Magic's defensive efficiency is as high as 106.5, ranking in the top 5 in the league, but when he is off the court, this figure plummets to 111, dropping to 17th place. Isaac even became the only player in the league in the 2019-20 season to average at least 1.5 steals and 2 blocks per game.
Despite missing many games due to injury, Isaac's performance upon returning still showcases the allure of his talent. Last season, he averaged only 16 minutes per game but still managed to score 6.8 points, grab 4.5 rebounds, 0.7 steals, and 1.2 blocks, with a shooting percentage of 51% and a three-point percentage of 38%. The data shows that even within limited time, Isaac's role on the court remains significant. When he is on the court, the Magic score 4.0 more points and concede 8.8 fewer points per 100 possessions, making an irreplaceable contribution to both ends of the court.
Some might ask, given the significant health risks, why is the Magic willing to offer him a long-term contract? Behind this lies not only a commitment to talent but also a strategy of "low risk, high return."
The five-year, 84millioncontractIsaacsignedthissummeramountstoapproximately16 million per year. For a player with top-level offensive and defensive talent, this price is not considered high. If Isaac can stay healthy, this contract will be highly cost-effective; even if he misses time again due to injury, the annual salary of over $10 million will not significantly affect the Magic's salary structure. In other words, this is a gamble "worth trying."
If Isaac can recover his health, his potential ceiling will be far higher than most NBA players. This talent makes the Magic always willing to give him opportunities. After all, in this league, talented players often receive more patience and support, while ordinary players may have already been shown the door.
In the 2024-25 season, Isaac's attendance rate has improved. In the 34 games so far, he has played in 27, averaging 16.6 minutes per game. If he can maintain his health and further increase his playing time and intensity, the Magic may see the return of the versatile genius they once knew. If unfortunately, he is injured again, such a contract remains manageable for the Magic.
Jonathan Isaac's story may not be unique, but it fully demonstrates the weight of "talent" in the NBA. Even with constant injuries and low attendance rates that seem hopeless, as long as top-notch potential is displayed, continuous opportunities and support can be obtained. For the Magic, Isaac's talent is the reason they are willing to invest patience and funds; for fans, this may be a complex mix of regret and expectation. How the future develops is in Isaac's own hands.