Potential Cut Jonathan Isaac Could Fit Perfectly on the Jazz

The last few years of Jonathan Isaac's career may be among the most unlucky we've ever seen in recent memory. Health has not exactly been on his good side to put things lightly. In fact, the last time we've seen a fully healthy season from Isaac was during his sophomore season all the way back in 2019.

Since then, he's sustained countless leg injuries to keep him out of action. A total of two knee injuries in 2020, one keeping him out for two total full seasons, as well as a hamstring injury that cut his mid-season return short in 2023. Now, after a string of health issues to prohibit Isaac's reliability, the Orlando Magic may opt to move off of the 25-year-old forward if presented the opportunity.

In an article by Eric Picnus of Bleacher Report, he discussed the possibility of the Magic moving on from Jonathan Isaac, due in part to his contract losing "most of its guarantee protections with his multiple injuries."

Report: Orlando Magic may move on from Jonathan Isaac https://t.co/vB3xJiOH9w
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 7, 2023

Due to the time Isaac has missed up to this point, the numbers on the contract extention he signed back in 2020 could end up looking a bit different. According to Spotrac, Isaac is only guaranteed $7.6 million of the original $17.4 million number on his contract, putting the option of a potential cut on the table for the Magic.

With this possibility, Isaac could enter free agency this summer with as one of the best defensive players on the market when healthy. Considering both the cap and positional need, the Utah Jazz could forecast to be a team with an amazing fit for the versatile defensive forward.

The Jazz have a few places where they could improve entering this offseason, one of which could possibly be the signing of a new starting power forward. Kelly Olynyk, who started a significant amount at the four down the stretch was very impactful, but could still be upgraded going into next season. He does have great size and stretch ability to merit a spot in the rotation, but considering the Jazz's current timeline and new players inevitably being added, he's better served in a more significant bench role than starting spot.

A signing of Jonathan Isaac to slot in at the starting four, or even a reserve forward could be the answer to create one of the better defensive big duos in the league combined with ROTY candidate, Walker Kessler. We saw the success of Jarred Vanderbilt in the frontcourt as a defensive anchor before being dealt midseason. Isaac could fit in very similarly.

However while this does sound like a nice fit, it would be foolish to recognize the elephant in the room: Isaac has yet to prove he can stay healthy for an extended period of time. In order to invest significant money in any signing, availibilty is one of the most important factors of a player's value.

An eye-catching fit if able to work out, but Isaac's health must be proven to be stabilized. Every other one of the 28 teams are also aware of this which could effectively lower his market value as a whole. If able to be signed a discounted price though could be a 'low risk-high reward' deal for the Jazz.

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