NBA rumors: NBA denies Jonathan Isaac DPE request

Josh Robbins: 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 be used on a player with an expiring contract or to sign a player for the remainder of this season.

More on Jonathan Isaac Injury

Bobby Marks: Disabled Player Exceptions in Orlando would be worth: * $4.6M- Al-Farouq Aminu * $2.9M- Jonathan Isaac NBA has to deem that both players are out until June 15. Smart move by the Magic PR in not putting a return date for both players.
Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac suffered a hyperextended left knee during Wednesday's 122-101 win at Washington, the team announced. He will undergo an MRI on Thursday in Orlando and then be re-evaluated. After the game, he said he felt he'd avoided a serious knee injury. "I've never hurt my knee before," Isaac said. "So as soon as it happened, I just naturally start thinking the worst. 'Wow man, it's over.' But as I was down there, it started to feel better and better just being down there. So I kind of felt, just the reassurance that I was going to be [OK]."
Roy Parry: Magic F Jonathan Isaac (sprained right ankle) went through practice today and told reporters afterward that he feels "pretty confident" he'll be able to play tomorrow in Toronto but ultimately the decision will be up to the training staff. Isaac has missed the past 2 games.
Josh Robbins: Jonathan Isaac (sprained right ankle) will not play tonight against the Wizards, a Magic official said.
Roy Parry: Steve Clifford told reporters that Jonathan Isaac went through the team's non-contact practice session this morning. How Isaac feels Sunday will determine if he plays Sunday night vs. the Wizards. He missed Friday's game vs. the Spurs with a sprained right ankle.
Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac has cleared the NBA's concussion protocol and will be available to play in the team's playoff opener Saturday in Toronto, the team announced Thursday night. Isaac is believed to have been hurt in Orlando's win Sunday against the Celtics. He was struck in the jaw and experienced concussion-like symptoms after the game, leading the Magic to put him in the protocol.
Josh Robbins: The only significant news from the Magic’s practice today was that Nikola Vucevic said he’s feeling better from the stomach bug that prevented him from playing last night. Also, Steve Clifford would not be specific about Jonathan Isaac’s progess in the NBA concussion protocol.
Josh Robbins: Jonathan Isaac continues to progress in his recovery from a sprained ankle. He said he had a productive on-court workout earlier today in which he tested his ankle with jumping and cutting.
John Denton: Already without F Jonathan Isaac (sprained R ankle), @Orlando Magic could be without F Aaron Gordon (sprained L ankle) tonight vs. @New York Knicks. Gordon suffered the injury in the 3rd Q of Friday’s defeat of WASH. AG gutted his way through that injury, playing 42 min & scoring 20 pts
Josh Robbins: Jonathan Isaac (sprained right ankle) will not play tonight against the Spurs. Jonathon Simmons (bruised right wrist) will be available to play.
John Denton: Here is the @Orlando Magic injury report for Sunday’s game in San Antonio vs. @San Antonio Spurs: Jonathan Isaac -QUESTIONABLE, sprained right ankle; Jonathon Simmons – QUESTIONABLE, right wrist contusion.
Isaac left the Magic locker room without any noticeable limp and he is considered day-to-day. “It is the same thing, so you can say it’s a little annoying, but I’m just ready to get back in tomorrow and continue to get treatment and see how I feel,” said Isaac, who also said he had no immediate swelling and X-rays on the ankle were negative. “I felt it while I was in the game and tried to go a couple minutes to see how I feel. I couldn’t really do much on it so I decided to come out.”
Josh Robbins: Jonathan Isaac (sprained right ankle), Timofey Mozgov (dislocated finger on right hand) and Terrence Ross (right foot contusion) will not play Monday night in Miami, Steve Clifford said. Isaac participated in today's non-contact work and halfcourt contact work in practice.
Josh Robbins: Jonathan Isaac isn't scheduled to play tonight because of his mild right ankle sprain. But he is in uniform and is taking part in the pregame layup line. He still won't play, but his activity level is a sign his current injury isn't as severe as the sprains he had last season.
Josh Robbins: Jonathan Isaac's injury from last night's exhibition game in Philadelphia has been diagnosed as a mild right ankle sprain, a team official told the @OrlandoSentinel. The team likely will list him as "day-to-day," but chances are the Magic will proceed cautiously and not rush him.
Josh Robbins: Jonathan Isaac's left ankle still has swelling and soreness, Frank Vogel said. If those issues continue, it will be highly unlikely that Isaac will play again this season, Vogel said.
Orlando Magic rookie forward Jonathan Isaac continues to be bothered by discomfort in his left foot and didn’t practice Monday, casting doubt about his availability for the team’s game Wednesday against the Brooklyn Nets at Amway Center. Coach Frank Vogel said Isaac still feels some pain in the top of his foot.
Jonathan Isaac’s return to game action is imminent. Coach Frank Vogel said Isaac will practice with the Magic’s G-League affiliate in Lakeland on Thursday and then play for Lakeland when it hosts the Maine Red Claws on Friday night at the RP Funding Center. “I feel good,” Isaac said after Orlando’s practice Wednesday afternoon. “I definitely understand why they want me to spend some time there [with Lakeland]. I’m just focused on getting back up here [with Orlando] as fast as possible and getting back around these guys.”
Jonathan Isaac likely will have a minutes restriction during his stint with Lakeland. “My goal in the games I do play in, if it is more than one or just one, is to win those games,” Isaac said. “Like I said before, those guys down there have been working really hard on what they want to do and where they want to get to. And I’m not going down there to steal the show or try to take every shot. I just want to play hard and play great basketball and get a win.”
Josh Robbins: Nothing has been solidified yet with Jonathan Isaac playing in the G League, but Frank Vogel said it appears Isaac likely will play for Lakeland over the weekend.
Jonathan Isaac, 20, severely sprained his ankle on Nov. 11 when he landed on the foot of a player whose shot he had just swatted. He’s played only sparingly since then but is hopeful that he will be back on the floor for the Magic following the break for the NBA All-Star Game. Until then, Isaac said he’s completely comfortable watching others in his draft class shine because he knows his moments will eventually come. ``Everybody’s time is different, and everybody has a different journey to greatness and has a different road,’’ Isaac said. ``So, it’s just about being happy for guys when their numbers are called and when their time is now. My time will be later.’’
Isaac, a deeply religious person who often speaks openly about his faith, said the time away from games has been good for his brain and body. Through vigorous work in the weight room with Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Bill Burgos, he’s added 11 pounds to bulk up to 222 pounds. And rather than allow the time away to bother him mentally, Isaac said it’s been a good refresher that stoked his hunger for basketball. ``I feel like it’s been a blessing being out and being able to slow down,’’ said Isaac, who recently gave a sermon about his faith at a local Orlando church. ``Being a rookie, you take so much onto you when you’re playing so much, and you are trying to handle life outside of basketball. But being able to slow down and really focus on my life outside of basketball and my body … has been great.’’
When Orlando Magic rookie Jonathan Isaac makes his long-awaited return, he might play first for the Magic’s G-League affiliate in Lakeland. Isaac hasn’t played since Dec. 26 because his right ankle never fully healed from a sprain he suffered Nov. 11. “It’s going to be predicated on the practices that we have coming out of the break, how he looks, how he feels, how his conditioning is,” coach Frank Vogel said. “There’s a possibility that he plays in the G-League for a couple of games to help get his games under him.”
Josh Robbins: Here's the Magic's injury report for Friday's game against the Pelicans: QUESTIONABLE: Jonathan Isaac (sore right ankle). DOUBTFUL: Evan Fournier (ankle), Aaron Gordon (calf). OUT: Terrence Ross (knee).
Josh Robbins: Jonathan Isaac's ankle responded well to practice yesterday, but the Magic are going to hold him out tonight as a precaution. ... Also, Arron Afflalo won't play tonight because of back spasms. Mario Hezonja will start on the wing in Afflalo's place with Evan Fournier also out.
Josh Robbins: The Magic have listed Arron Afflalo (back spasms), Aaron Gordon (concussion) and Jonathan Isaac (ankle) as questionable for Friday night's game against the Trail Blazers. Evan Fournier (ankle) and Terrence Ross (knee) are listed as out.
“It felt good,” Isaac said. “I’m definitely making progress. I can’t wait to get back on the court.” His ankle still has some soreness, and team officials have listed Isaac as out for Wednesday night’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
“You hate to say you’re missing a 20-year-old rookie, but we are,” Magic coach Frank Vogel said. “He’s a dynamic player, especially on the defensive end, and he’s missed. But every single team in the league has got guys out.”
Josh Robbins: The Magic have listed rookie forward Jonathan Isaac as out for Monday's game against the Pacers. Isaac sprained his right ankle Nov. 11 against Denver.
Josh Robbins: Jonathan Isaac, who sprained his right ankle in Denver on Saturday, is out of his walking boot. He still feels discomfort when he moves side to side, but he's making progress and feeling better.
The Orlando Magic rookie suffered the injury during a loss Monday afternoon to the Dallas Mavericks when he elevated toward the rim, collided with two defenders and landed awkwardly. Isaac remained in the game for 40 more seconds but sat out the second half. A team spokesman said an MRI was performed after the game and said the exam revealed no structural damage other than a strain. Isaac will not play in the Magic’s final two exhibition games Wednesday and Thursday for precautionary reasons.
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April 1, 2023 | 3:02 am EDT Update

NBA will implement a second salary cap apron for highest-spending teams

The NBA is curbing the ability of the highest-spending teams, such as the Golden State Warriors and the LA Clippers, to continue running up salary and luxury tax spending while still maintaining mechanisms to add talent to the roster. The NBA is implementing a second salary cap apron — $17.5 million over the tax line — and those teams will no longer have access to the taxpayer mid-level in free agency. Those changes will be eased into the salary cap over a period of years. Under these changes, Golden State’s Donte DiVincenzo, Milwaukee’s Joe Ingles, Boston’s Danilo Gallinari and former Clippers guard John Wall wouldn’t have been able to sign with those teams last summer.
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April 1, 2023 | 2:51 am EDT Update

New CBA deal includes mid-season tournament, starting with the 2023-24 season

Adrian Wojnarowski: Deal includes In-Season Tournament, 65-game minimum for postseason awards, new limitations on highest spending teams and expanded opportunities for trades and free agency for mid and smaller team payrolls, sources tell ESPN.