Orlando Magic Daily
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Five questions for the 2017-18 Orlando Magic’s second quarter

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (2) goes for a basket against the Golden State Warriors at Amway Center Friday, Dec. 1, 2017. The Warriors beat the Magic 133-112.(Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images)
Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (2) goes for a basket against the Golden State Warriors at Amway Center Friday, Dec. 1, 2017. The Warriors beat the Magic 133-112.(Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images) /
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Jonathan Isaac, Orlando Magic
Jonathan Isaac, Orlando Magic /

What is Jonathan Isaac’s real impact?

The Orlando Magic have missed rookie Jonathan Isaac. Coach Frank Vogel has acknowledged as much, which is incredible considering he is a rookie averaging just 6.1 points per game. Everyone has been eagerly awaiting what more Isaac can do.

He undoubtedly has been missed. Isaac has not played since Nov. 11 when he sprained his ankle against the Denver Nuggets, a span of 13 games. It appears he is getting closer to a return. And the Magic would like to see that happen.

His statistical impact is still small from an individual standpoint. The Magic are not running a lot of plays for him and he is not pouring in a ton of points. But the team is better defensively without him.

As a team, the Magic have given up 112.4 points per 100 possessions since Isaac went out. That is not all on him. Isaac is playing only 19.9 minutes per game. That is enough to make an impact but not enough to change things.

Still, the Magic were undeniably better with Isaac on the floor. According to NBA.com, the Magic had a 99.7 defensive rating with Isaac on the floor. That is the best mark on the team. Without Isaac on the floor, the Magic have a 109.6 defensive rating. The Magic are only worse with Terrence Ross off the floor.

This would all seem to suggest Isaac has a very real impact defensively. And before his injury, as the Magic’s losing streak was just starting to simmer, it felt like the move to make was to start Isaac at small forward and emphasize that defensive importance.

The Magic are not likely going to go that route in the next month. Isaac’s sprained ankle took longer to heal than anticipated. He will have to get himself back into shape and the rhythm of the game.

Once he does, the Magic will be measuring his defensive impact. Expect to see him paired with Aaron Gordon and the starters more often. And at some point, it seems the Magic will push him into the starting lineup.

Things have happened much faster than maybe even the Magic anticipated. Isaac is further ahead defensively.

Now he just has to get healthy again.