Good news for the Magic: An NBA-appointed doctor ruled Jonathan Isaac is not “substantially more likely than not” to be out through June 15.
Bad news for the Magic: They won’t get a disabled-player exception for Isaac.
Josh Robbins of The Athletic:
(1/2) Reporting from @ShamsCharania: The NBA has denied the Orlando Magic's request for a disabled player exception for Jonathan Isaac, who is recovering from a left knee injury. Orlando previously was granted a DPE for Al-Farouq Aminu. The $4.6 million Aminu DPE can . . .
— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) January 31, 2020
(2/2) . . . be used on a player with an expiring contract or to sign a player for the remainder of this season.
— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) January 31, 2020
It was surprising the Magic even applied. On Jan. 2, they announced Isaac would be re-evaluated in two months with a knee injury.
This doesn’t mean Isaac will return this season. Orlando will almost certainly be eliminated long before June 15. The Magic could also be cautious with Isaac, a potential rising star.
But the heightened possibility of him returning raises questions ahead of the trade deadline: Will Orlando be more likely to deal its other big forward, Aaron Gordon? Will the Magic view this season as more promising and be more likely to trade for an immediate upgrade?
Still, Orlando (21-27) is headed toward a first-round loss. It’ll be difficult to become better or worse than that.
