Orlando Magic Daily
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Divergent Process: The Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic

By Zachary Bethel

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 24: JJ Redick #17 and Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrate during the game against the Miami Heat in game five of round one of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Matteo Marchi/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 24: JJ Redick #17 and Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrate during the game against the Miami Heat in game five of round one of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) /
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Jonathan Isaac, Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics
ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 16: Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Boston Celtics on March 16, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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In the 2017 NBA Draft, the Orlando Magic brought in former Florida State Seminoles standout Jonathan Isaac with the sixth overall pick.

He fits the archetype that can be seen within the Milwaukee Bucks organization, where general manager John Hammond built a rangy, long and athletic team.

The new management group brought in a variety of free agents to start the season, such as Marreese Speights, Shelvin Mack and Khem Birch. They then moved Elfrid Payton to the Phoenix Suns for a second-round pick this year’s trade deadline, essentially changing the face of the last few losing seasons. There is a sense Orlando might move Nikola Vucevic this offseason for similar reasons.

Still, the team has a lot of work to do.

Jonathan Isaac’s ceiling is huge, but it also pretty far. Obviously, the Magic cannot abide by the various amounts of adamant tanking the Sixers pursued. And for good reason.

Let’s consider Orlando Magic history through team identity.

It starts with the expansion years, followed by Shaquille O’Neal and Anfernee Hardaway, followed by the Anfernee Hardaway show. You move to the Tracy McGrady and Grant Hill era in the early 2000s. Then you have Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson, Rashard Lewis, J.J. Redick and the Magic’s title run.

This was a fun squad to watch and they had a variety of success in the postseason. Then the Dwightmare and the picks and players Orlando received after. Even consider the 2004 season when the Magic went 21-61 record. Tracy McGrady still led the league in scoring that year.

So even when the Magic have lost in the past, they have remained relevant with their player personnel. This six-year stretch is not only the longest the team has gone without a Playoff berth but also the longest without having a NBA All-Star.

When Aaron Gordon withdrew from the dunk contest this past season, the Magic were left unrepresented on All-Star Weekend.

It is almost like they did not exist.