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2018 Orlando Magic Player Outlook: Jonathan Isaac

By Philip Rossman-Reich

TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 11: Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic poses for a photo during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG training center on August 11, 2017 in Tarrytown, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Babineau/Getty Images)
TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 11: Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic poses for a photo during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG training center on August 11, 2017 in Tarrytown, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Babineau/Getty Images) /
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Jonathan Isaac, Florida State Seminoles, Sean O'Mara, Xavier Musketeers
ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 18: Sean O’Mara #54 of the Xavier Musketeers battles for position against Jonathan Isaac #1 and Dwayne Bacon #4 of the Florida State Seminoles in the first half during the second round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Amway Center on March 18, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

What Could Go Wrong

There is always a fair amount of risk in rookie trying to make it into the league. Few make it cleanly into the league — particularly when their role is larger and they are one of the youngest players in the Draft. So Jonathan Isaac’s impact is likely to be minimal from a role impact. And every rookie makes mistakes.

But the reasons everyone was so hesitant to draft him — or favored point guard Dennis Smith Jr.  — was the uncertainty over his potential. Isaac is literally just a bundle of potential with little sign of what he can become except a few flashes at Florida State.

The overarching storyline with Isaac was his passivity. He stayed on the perimeter too much and never got involved in the offense. Isaac just hovered there, only scoring in transition and never showing off that prodigious athleticism and ability. He posted only a 20.3 percent usage rate, according to Sports-Reference. That is about the mark of an average player.

More from Analysis

Nobody has really seen Isaac at his most assertive or at his best. That is the unknown everyone is banking on. It may not come out this year, but the Magic have to encourage Isaac to take his stand when it makes sense and to run plays for him.

Nobody knows how successful those could be.

Then there is the logjam in the future. And everyone knows it.

Jonathan Isaac and Aaron Gordon are very similar players. They are both super athletic bigs who do not really have a position. Isaac might be better suited to play the 3 because he projects as a better jump shooter, but that might still be a bit of a stretch. Eventually, the team will have to figure out how to play their two athletic wings together or pick one or the other — and Gordon’s contract situation likely does not make that easier, nor does Gordon’s potential as the best player on the team.

Orlando has done a very good job collecting players with similar attributes in the last five years, to the confusion of many. Drafting Isaac seemed very much like doing that again as a bigger version of Gordon.

Maybe the Magic’s timeline to succeed is longer than everyone imagines and they have the time to wait on Isaac to develop. But there are definitely storm clouds on the horizon.

For now, the Magic should just focus on getting the most out of Isaac and drawing out his inner aggression.