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Orlando Magic Daily Roundtable: Dealing with the Draftermath

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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Jonathan Isaac, Florida State Seminoles
Jan 18, 2017; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) reacts after a play during the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports /

What do you think of the Jonathan Isaac pick? Did the Magic make the right pick?

Zach Palmer (@FmrTankCommandr): I think the Jonathan Isaac pick was a fine pick. Isaac has the ability to be a special defensive player right off the bat. If he is able to shoot the ball adequately well and dribble a little bit he may be able to play effectively at the small forward spot with Aaron Gordon remaining at the power forward spot. As far as making the right pick, well it is hard to say right now. I think Dennis Smith fit the team a little bit better, but we still have to see how the Magic conduct the rest of the offseason. It is possible they could change the roster to such a point where this pick ends up being the best player and fit combination.

Ryan Doyle (@RDoyle27): I like the pick. The Magic tried to find their star and I cannot fault them for that. Jonathan Isaac was not my first choice, but he was near the top of my board. I think it will be some time before we see how good he can be. But, for now, the fit just seems odd. I do not think him and Aaron Gordon are going to fit well for the next season or two. Which is a problem for me as they are clearly the two main building blocks. Still, there is much work to do in the offseason for this team and the entire roster could look very different when the season begins.

Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic /

Orlando Magic

Philip Rossman-Reich (@omagicdaily): I figured the Magic would be deciding between Jonathan Isaac and Dennis Smith with their pick. I knew they would most likely get two of the three guys I was comfortable with (Jayson Tatum being the other). So I always felt the Magic were in a really good position at No. 6 to take a solid player. As I said on the podcast, I think how you view this pick is really about your expectations for the 2018 season and how quickly you think the Magic can build. I thought they would look to add a player who is a little more ready to contribute immediately offensively. Isaac is a good defender and should be able to hold his own on a basketball court quickly. But his offensive skills will take some time to develop. I understand perhaps some of the frustration that Jonathan Isaac is too similar to Aaron Gordon. That, along with his passive play with the Florida State Seminoles, caused me to shy away from him. I thought the Magic were on a much quicker timeline. But if the team is taking a longer-term view of the rebuild. Isaac should be someone who can grow on the bench — and G-League — and make contributions immediately on the defensive end.

Patrick Flynn (@pflynn33): I am happy with the pick. Even though the Magic fell one spot in the draft they were still in a position to take a player with All-Star potential. Jonathan Isaac is no exception. Dennis Smith received rave reviews after his workout with the Magic, so I figured he would be the favorite at No. 6. Isaac has an incredibly high ceiling, though, and I am OK waiting for him to develop if the Magic believe he can become the player they expect him to be.