With the free-agency market drying up fast on the 3rd day of NBA free-agency, the Orlando Magic decided to bring back several key players on the team that reached the postseason for the first time in four years.
After securing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s services on a three-year, $66 million deal, the Magic have rounded out the rest of its roster by re-signing players who made significant contributions during their campaign last season.
Magic Signs Jonathan Isaac to Five-Year, $84M Deal
First, the Magic have ensured their best all-around defender won’t go anywhere anytime soon. Orlando has locked up Jonathan Isaac to a five-year, $84 million deal, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Orlando Magic F Jonathan Isaac has agreed on a five-year, $84 million contract renegotiation and extension, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/4skp5qS2sp
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2024
Isaac, 26, had one year left in his current deal before the Magic agreed on a team-friendly contract.
Drafted No.6 overall by the Magic in the 2016 NBA Draft, Isaac showed promise in his first few years in the league. He averaged 12.3 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game in the 2019-20 season before sustaining a hyperextended left knee that cut short his season.
Isaac suffered two additional severe injuries in the following years, including an ACL tear that kept him out for two seasons and a torn left abductor muscle that limited him to 11 games in the 2022-23 season.
Isaac persevered through rehabilitation and played 58 games during the 2023-24 season, averaging 6.8 points on 51 FG% and 4.5 rebounds in 15.8 minutes.
He also showcased throughout the season his elite-level defense that held opponents under 40 FG% with him as the nearest defender, according to Second Spectrum.
Many analysts believe Isaac has the potential to contend with Victor Wembenyama, Rudy Gobert, and other top-level defenders for the Defensive Player of the Year award next season.
‘Wagner Bros’ Stay in Orlando
The Magic also re-signed Moritz Wagner to a two-year, $22 million deal, keeping the Wagner Bros combo of him and his brother Franz Wagner in Disneyland for at least the next two seasons.
Free agent F/C Moe Wagner is returning to the Orlando Magic on a two-year, $22 million deal, sources tell ESPN. Wagner averaged 10.8 points and 4.3 rebounds in 80 games for the Eastern Conference’s fifth seed. pic.twitter.com/ZZTIHbzaB3
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2024
Wagner played a crucial role for the Magic off the bench last season, averaging 10.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 17.7 minutes in 80 games.
Drafted 25th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018, the 27-year-old vet averaged in double figures in three of his four seasons with the Magic. He has carved a career as a physical big man with a decent stroke from beyond the arc at 32 3PT%.
Magic Re-Signs Three-Point Specialist Gary Harris
The Magic has also retained the service of three-point specialist Gary Harris on a two-year, $24 million deal, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Free agent guard Gary Harris has agreed to a two-year, $14 million contract to stay with the Orlando Magic, sources tell ESPN. Harris will be returning for his fifth season with the Magic — his 11th in the NBA. pic.twitter.com/fNKRq6d8Yu
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2024
The 29-year-old Harris averaged 6.9 points and 1.6 assists in 54 games last season. Despite the underwhelming numbers, Harris averaged 37.1 percent from the three-point area during the 2023-24 season.
He’s expected to come off the bench behind projected starting shooting guard Caldwell-Pope next season.
