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Locked On Magic: Immediate NBA Draft reaction with Zach Oliver of Orlando Pinstriped Post

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Jonathan Isaac (Florida State) is interviewed after being introduced as the number six overall pick to the Orlando Magic in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Jonathan Isaac (Florida State) is interviewed after being introduced as the number six overall pick to the Orlando Magic in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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The NBA Draft has come and gone and brought with it plenty of controversies and second-guessing for the Orlando Magic. I broke it down with Zach Oliver.

The Orlando Magic entered the NBA Draft with a lot of opportunities. That is what happens when a team has four picks in the first 35.

The expectation was for the Magic to take a player that would be a key part of their core with the sixth pick and then look to fill out the roster with role players who can help the team immediately. The Magic would get young players to reset the team some and add depth to a group trying to get back on track.

That, of course, seemed to be on the belief the Magic were looking to compete sooner rather than later. The belief the Magic were going to try to take a player more ready to contribute immediately and push for a Playoff bid in a few years rather than down the road.

In any case, the Magic would set the direction for their franchise with what they did Thursday night. It was a chance to reset the franchise.

Instead, Orlando surprisingly seemed to kick the can down the road.

First, they picked Jonathan Isaac with the sixth pick. While many consider Jonathan Isaac to have the most upside in this Draft, he is a raw prospect who will likely not be able to contribute much immediately outside defensive energy and maybe some spot-up shooting.

There were players on the board — like fan-favorite Dennis Smith — who might have been able to contribute more immediately. Orlando seemed to be building a player archetype and exhibiting a willingness to show patience.

Their other moves suggested that tact too.

They traded away two of their picks — including the 25th pick in the Draft for a future first that the team may not ever receive — and seemed fine bringing just Jonathan Isaac and Wesley Iwundu.

Orlando was not going to bring in four rookies to camp next year. And Wesley Iwundu is a promising player that fits the Magic’s growing draft philosophy to find versatility and length.

Still, the Magic punting on those draft picks the way they did to get future assets rather than trying to move up in the draft or even move back in addition to receiving future assets seemed a bit deflating.

There was a lot to digest as the Magic made their picks on Draft night. And while the raw emotion has calmed down since Thursday — especially since the Magic have already introduced Isaac and Iwundu to the local media — there is still a lot to unpack.

After the Draft ended, Zach Oliver of Orlando Pinstriped Post joined me on Locked On Magic to recap the Draft and what it means for the Magic’s future.

On This Episode

  • What is the Orlando Magic’s timeline and what does the Jonathan Isaac selection mean for that timeline?
  • What did the Orlando Magic get in Jonathan Isaac?
  • What did the Orlando Magic get in Wesley Iwundu?
  • How did the Orlando Magic do on the trade market? Could they have done more?
  • Did the Orlando Magic make a mistake not drafting a point guard? What opportunities did they miss?
  • What are our final takeaways from the Orlando Magic’s Draft?

My thanks to Zach Oliver for taking the time to chat with me after a busy night at the Amway Center for the NBA Draft. You can follow him online @ZachOliverNBA and at Orlando Pinstriped Post.

Next: Jonathan Isaac helps improves Orlando Magic's defense

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