Orlando Magic Daily
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Jonathan Isaac seems to know everyone in the Draft class

By Philip Rossman-Reich

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 9: Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic gets introduced into the starting lineup against the Sacramento Kings on March 9, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 9: Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic gets introduced into the starting lineup against the Sacramento Kings on March 9, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Jonathan Isaac is a key piece to the Orlando Magic. That might be why it is good to hear players in this year’s NBA Draft already like him.

The Orlando Magic were in full draft mode this week as they hit Chicago for the NBA Draft Combine. They got the chance to meet many of the prospects for the first time and set up interviews and workouts further on down the line.

Not to mention many of the prospects went through measurements, drills and scrimmages in front of NBA personnel.

For the prospects, it was more like speed dating in the interview process with everything limited to 30-minute bites. Not every team got to talk to all the players they wanted and it is more a “get-to-know-you” setting anyway.

Many of the top prospects also faced the NBA media assembled in Chicago for the first time. Even this is part of the interview to see how they handle that spotlight.

It all seems very choreographed at this relatively early stage. The serious discussions and evaluations are still to come.

But one interesting tidbit seemed to come out of the Draft Combine. The Magic may already have something of an “in” with several top prospects.

Both Texas Longhorns center Mohamed Bamba and Oklahoma Sooners guard Trae Young namedropped Jonathan Isaac in their media availabilities, saying they knew the Magic’s young player.

"“I’ve known Jonathan since I was in high school,” Trae Young said at the NBA Draft Combine. “We played with each other and against each other in AAU. I’ve talked to him a few times this year. He’s a good dude. I love his skill set, he’s a really good player. He had a really good rookie year. I can’t wait to see all his continued success.”"

Bamba also told the assembled media he was “really good friends” with Isaac. He also noted the team’s management group has a penchant and reputation for drafting length. No one is as long as Bamba — measured with a jaw-dropping 7-foot-10 wingspan.

It, of course, makes sense. The current culture of high-level basketball is one of friendship. Many of the top prospects see and play with each other over their young lives on the AAU circuit.

Isaac, a year removed from school, almost certainly crossed paths frequently with Young and Bamba at some point. Surely, Young and Bamba have crossed paths with several other prospects and young players around the league.

It is noted how much these players like Isaac’s game.

Magic fans did not get to see a lot of Isaac last year. Ankle and foot injuries limited him to 27 games. He averaged a relatively unimpressive 5.4 points per game with a 43.4 percent effective field goal percentage.

But his defense was impressive. The team had its best defensive rating with Isaac on the floor. And then-coach Frank Vogel praised Jonathan Isaac’s defensive understanding and defensive ability for a player that young.

His length was a very real thing. Isaac even called NBA defense easy, while admitting there were finer points he had to improve.

If his offensive game comes around — with the Florida State Seminoles he shot a 56.8 percent effective field goal percentage and 34.8 percent from beyond the arc — Isaac could be a special player. Isaac has spent the majority of his summer so far in Orlando working on his game already.

No matter who the Magic draft, he will be a key piece to the team’s puzzle along with Jonathan Isaac. It is good to know that at least a few of them already have relationships with the team’s core piece.

Next: Orlando Magic finish Combine with two key point guards

Matt Schoch of Locked On Pistons contributed to this report.