Orlando Magic signal unashamed Christ-follower Jonathan Isaac to 5-yr. contract extension
By Kevin Mercer Jul 3, 2024
Jonathan Isaac of the Orlando Magic, April 12, 2024. (AP Picture/Chris Szagola)
The Magic made certain 26-year-old ahead Jonathan Isaac gained’t be leaving city anytime quickly by signing him to a five-year contract extension reportedly worth $84 million on Tuesday.
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Isaac was set to enter the ultimate 12 months of his deal, which might have paid him $17.4 million within the 2024-25 season. With the contract extension and renegotiation, nonetheless, he’s now projected to make greater than $19 million subsequent season (the second highest on the group), and the contract will decrease in the following four years. The exact particulars of the contract gained’t be finalized till the NBA’s free agent deals can become official on Saturday.
Orlando Magic F Jonathan Isaac has agreed on a five-year, $84 million contract renegotiation and extension, sources inform ESPN. pic.twitter.com/4skp5qS2sp
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2024
Jonathan Isaac is unbelievable pic.twitter.com/PmO31roput
— WinkyChrist (@winkychrist) April 14, 2024
The seven-year NBA vet is extensively thought-about probably the greatest defenders within the league when wholesome, however staying on the court docket has proved to be a problem at instances in his profession. The Magic drafted Isaac No. 6 total following one collegiate season at Florida State, however his rookie 12 months was restricted to 27 video games due to a proper ankle sprain and a G-league rehabilitation stint.
He turned a starter in 12 months No. 2, enjoying in 75 video games, and was off to a fair higher begin in 2019-20 earlier than a left knee harm that January sidelined him. He made his return in August within the NBA bubble, however tore his left ACL, inflicting him to not solely miss the rest of the season however the next two seasons as nicely.
Isaac returned to the court docket in January 2023 earlier than present process season-ending surgical procedure in March of that 12 months to restore a torn left adductor.
Final season, Isaac lastly overcame his harm struggles and performed in 58 video games as a key piece off of Orlando’s bench. He contributed 6.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game whereas taking pictures 51% total, 37.5% from 3-point vary, and 72% from the free-throw line. For his efforts, he was nominated for NBA Sixth Man of the Yr.
Coinciding with Isaac’s sustained return to motion, the Magic improved as a group in 2023-24. Orlando completed with a record of 47-35, making the playoffs for the primary time since 2019-20 and ending the season above .500 for the primary time since 2018-19.
Along with his basketball exploits, Isaac can be well-known for being one among the most outspoken followers of Christ in the NBA.
Isaac was featured within the Winter 2019 edition of the Sports Spectrum Magazine and has been a visitor a number of instances on the Sports Spectrum Podcast. He wrote a faith-based ebook, “Why I Stand,” whereas recovering from his ACL harm. He’s even began a faith-based sports activities attire model, UNITUS, and launched the primary signature footwear from an athlete to characteristic a Bible verse, the Judah 1’s.
“Having the ability to take the Phrase on the court docket with the Judah 1 this season has been a really empowering expertise,” Isaac said in January. “Seeing younger athletes enthusiastic about doing the identical takes it to an entire new degree. I’m honored to be part of offering our youngsters the power to precise their religion on and off the court docket.”
In the course of the launch occasion for UNITUS, Isaac said, “I do see this as one thing that’s larger than me, larger than all of us, and so for that I’ve to offer glory and honor to Jesus Christ for who I’m at the moment and the way this journey of following Him has blossomed into what we see at the moment.”
“The muse of my relationship with Jesus Christ is a actuality.”
Orlando Magic ahead Jonathan Isaac @JJudahIsaac
Take a look at our whole SS dialog right here:https://t.co/jU4hpApXTh pic.twitter.com/2DlZRKG8vm
— Sports activities Spectrum (@Sports_Spectrum) April 16, 2024
In a July 2022 Sports activities Spectrum Podcast episode, Isaac shared his testimony.
“I used to be dwelling my NBA life doing my very own factor,” he said. “God got here and located me. Why? As a result of He loves me, and He wishes to be in a relationship with me, to make me higher. So, I would like individuals to gravitate in direction of discovering out what a relationship with Christ is like and actually diving into it.”
After his first NBA sport again from his ACL harm, in January 2023, Isaac pointed to Jesus.
“I’ve to thank Christ,” he said. “Having the ability to return to my religion and say, ‘You already know what? God has me on this journey for a objective.’ I do know that I used to be made to play basketball. I used to be made to offer glory to God on this stage.”
Now, due to his renegotiated contract with the Magic, Isaac will search to proceed to boldly let the light of Christ shine by way of him within the NBA and past.
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