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2017 Orlando Magic Draft Preview: Who is Jonathan Isaac?

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Jan 14, 2017; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) and North Carolina Tar Heels forward Luke Maye (32) fight for a rebound in the second half. The Tar Heels defeated the Seminoles 96-83 at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2017; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) and North Carolina Tar Heels forward Luke Maye (32) fight for a rebound in the second half. The Tar Heels defeated the Seminoles 96-83 at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jonathan Isaac, Florida State Seminoles, North Carolina Tar Heels
Jan 14, 2017; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) and North Carolina Tar Heels forward Luke Maye (32) fight for a rebound in the second half. The Tar Heels defeated the Seminoles 96-83 at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Jonathan Isaac is one of the big mysteries of this Draft. He fits the profile of a strong player with a ton of potential. But questions remain about him.

Orlando Magic general manager John Hammond has a type. Or that appears to be the narrative that has quickly built up as the Magic prepare to pick with the sixth pick in the Draft.

With Hammond as general manager of the Milwaukee Bucks, it certainly does seem to follow a trend. He has drafted Luc Mbah a Moute, Brandon Jennings, Larry Sanders, John Henson, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jabari Parker, Norman Powell, Thon Maker and Malcolm Brogdon. The thing all those players have mostly in common is positional versatility, defense and length.

It is hard to say whether this is an archetype that will follow Hammond and president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman to Orlando. But if it is, everyone seems to know exactly the player that would fit that bill.

And he is someone close to home.

Jonathan Isaac has all the physical tools to intrigue and to fit this image. At 6-foot-10, Isaac had flashes of individual brilliance. He moved incredibly well while still showing the physicality to crash the glass. Isaac has the potential to do it all.

He averaged 12.0 points and 7.8 rebounds per game last year for the Florida State Seminoles. There were games where he absolutely took over with his size and speed making him look like a younger Giannis Antetokounmpo.

But then there were games where he seemed not to exist. He was invisible, hanging on the perimeter as other players on his team dominated the ball, not even attacking the basket for offensive rebounds.

The one thing Isaac has going for him are his physical attributes. He already has a demeanor to be a strong defender. With his speed and physical tools, Isaac can make an immediate impact on that end. And it seems like he already shows the commitment to play at that end.

But for a player drafted this high in this draft, Isaac needs to be something more. The expectations are for a player drafted anywhere in the top six for sure to become a star. And Isaac seems like the biggest risk of any of the top guys in this Draft to do so.

Isaac is a mix of tantalizing potential and immense risk.