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2017-18 Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: Jonathan Isaac

By Jean Racine

ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 7: Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic grabs the rebound against the Miami Heat during a preseason game on October 8, 2017 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 7: Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic grabs the rebound against the Miami Heat during a preseason game on October 8, 2017 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Jonathan Isaac, Orlando Magic
Jonathan Isaac, Orlando Magic /

Jonathan Isaac did not have the season he wanted. Injuries cut it short. But he showed plenty of promise to make fans believe.

The Orlando Magic drafted Jonathan Isaac with the sixth overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.

The 6-foot-11 combo forward fit the bill for new Magic management in general manager John Hammond and president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman. He was a lengthy player with developing skills. Draft experts said he had as high of a ceiling as anyone in the draft.

Isaac’s season started how it ended. He showed promise in Summer League, although it ended early due to injury.

The regular season got off to a rather peculiar start against the Miami Heat on Oct. 18 when the rookie forgot to put on his jersey before the game. After going through his shooting routine, Isaac threw on his warmup and everything else– except his jersey. It was a reminder of how wide-eyed and young this rookie was.

He took it all in stride, showing a maturity that went beyond those years. He would need that maturity throughout a difficult season.

Isaac sprained his ankle in a Nov. 11 game against the Denver Nuggets. It caused him to miss the next 18 games and 46 of the next 49 games. Most of his rookie year was gone like that over a seemingly minor injury. The Magic were either overly cautious or the injury was worse than they reported.

It was frustrating for the young player to sit and watch his team play without him.

When Isaac returned, he would go on to show why he was the sixth overall pick during the 2018 season. He displayed tremendous defensive ability and offensive versatility.

All those defensive tools scouts gushed over with Isaac were on full display. His defensive impact was clear statistically too. And all this from a 20-year-old rookie who still admitted he had a long way to go.

The offense certainly still has a long way to go for him to reach his full potential. But even through injuries, Isaac showed plenty of promise.