Orlando Magic Bringing Back Key Reserve

In a move that predates the beginning of the NBA free agency period on Tuesday at 6 p.m., the Orlando Magic have chosen to exercise the team option placed on forward Jamal Cain.

The Magic announced the decision on Monday, Which came two days after the organization waived long-time forward Jonathan Isaac on June 27.

Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. According to Spotrac, Cain's cap hit for the club option in the 2026-27 season is nearly $2.6 million.

Cain became a breakout player off the bench for the Magic during the 2025-26 campaign, and his efforts were rewarded by having his two-way contract converted to a standard deal in March. After going undrafted, the 27-year-old signed with the Miami Heat for the 2022-23 season, and he appeared in 18 games during his rookie season while averaging 5.4 points.

Cain returned to Miami for the 2023-24 season, and he appeared in 26 games and also made his first NBA start during the campaign. Ahead of the 2024-25 season, Cain signed with the New Orleans Pelicans, and saw his role increase further as he appeared in 37 games that year.

Last season, Cain made his way to Orlando where, partially due to injuries, he was thrust into a larger role. The 6-foot-7 product of Oakland University appeared in 40 regular season games for the Magic, including his second career start, and he averaged 5.4 points while shooting 38.4% from 3-point range.

In Orlando’s first-round playoff series against the Detroit Pistons, Cain’s role grew exponentially. The series went the seven-game distance, and Cain appeared in each of them while starting three times. The Magic relied on him much more after forward Franz Wagner suffered a calf strain in Game 4, which rendered him unavailable the rest of the series.

During the playoffs, Cain averaged 4.6 points, and his shooting percentages plummeted. However, his effort did not waver, and he put the league on notice with a violent poster dunk over Jalen Duren in the Magic’s Game 4 win.

After Orlando decided to waive Isaac, I talked on the Full Court Magic podcast about why the decision was the right one given his price tag and lack of production. The bench unit needs more, and while Cain is still very much a work in progress, he has demonstrated an ability to play high-level basketball and provide a spark when needed from the reserve unit that Isaac was not providing.

It is possible that the Magic work out a new deal to bring back Isaac, given that they did not waive and stretch his guaranteed $8 million, but if they don’t, one thing Cain cannot replicate is Isaac’s size. Not only is he three inches shorter, but he carries less weight in a smaller frame. Cain's effort is a staple, though, and Orlando can figure out if it wants a large wing off the bench later, whether it be returning Isaac on a team-friendly deal or another option.

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