Jonathan Isaac should expand his playmaking as he grows

This summer to expand his talents, the Orlando Magic need to focus on developing Jonathan Isaac at point guard, hoping to see him add more playmaking.

The Orlando Magic are desperate for answers.

There is no secret the Magic have turned into one of the worst franchises in the NBA since the Dwight Howard divorce six years ago. The team has failed to win more than 35 games in a season and are in a perpetual rebuild. Coach after coach has cycled through — the last Steve Clifford is the fifth in seven years.

This marriage settlement has not prospered either party but at least Howard has been to a conference finals since the two sides separated.

As for the Magic, they need to do something radical, something game-changing, something that can potentially turn around a meager franchise. They have to maximize every inch of their roster and find a way to stick with a modern NBA that is changing seemingly every year with new ideas.

For that answer look no further than the sixth pick in the 2017 draft, Jonathan Isaac. He is the key to the transformation. His versatility and length make him one of the truly unique and promising prospects in the NBA. Something everyone could clearly see even in his short 27-game stint.

It would take more than just Isaac to turn the franchise around. There are a lot of other pieces the Magic have to find a way to add too.

As the Magic contemplate some major changes to the roster, they have to do everything they can to feature Isaac. That might include experimenting with him some to see just how far his game could go.

Bigger point guards, like Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons or Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, are becoming vogue as they use their length and passing ability to see over smaller players and control the tempo of games.

Isaac is like them in some way with his length. And he still seems like enough of a bundle of potential to develop that part of his game.

With the Florida State Seminoles, Isaac only averaged 1.2 assists per game. He posted just 18 total assists against 27 total turnovers as a rookie. But Isaac showed flashes of his playmaking during regular season games. It may not be enough to feature in games quite yet, but it is part of his bundle of potnetial.

Playing Antetokounmpo at point guard was a bit of a crazy move when the Bucks did it his rookie year. But he quickly grew into the role. He averaged 1.9 assists per game as a rookie and it steadily rose from there.

Like the Bucks and 76ers, the Magic need to explore their young forward’s talents more and at least try and make the attempt to develop him into a modern-day Scottie Pippen.

Isaac will get his chance to show all the ways his game has grown when he takes a likely starring role on the Magic’s Summer League team in July.

It is really Isaac’s defensive length that makes putting him on the ball — both offensively and defensively all the more intriguing.

Isaac’s strength as a defender lies in his quickness and wingspan as a wing defender. His body type is similar to Kevin Garnett and his potential to be a perimeter defender could be lethal if unleashed.

The Magic saw just how good he could be even in limited minutes as he learned NBA defenses. Coach Frank Vogel spoke highly of Jonathan Isaac’s progress on the defensive end.

Issac’s on-ball defense is where he could potentially separate himself from the rest of the pack. He can develop better on-ball defensive skills. But he can challenge about every shot from the perimeter from point guards and pressure opponents when needed.

He potentially could be a lockdown defender if the Magic had an elite rim protector behind him, so he can pressure his opponents.

Offensively, putting Isaac on the ball has the same kind of benefits because of his length.

He has the Kevin Durant body type to work around defenders and get his shot off. But Isaac needs to work on knocking down perimeter shots this offseason.

With the Magic’s bevy of athletes and high flyers, Isaac then becomes a threat in transition.

Jonathan Isaac could be a monster on the fast break with Aaron Gordon potentially. His quickness and speed at his height is rare and essential to running the floor. This could be Lob City East if they can get on the same page. Like a watered down Shaquille O’Neal and Anfernee Hardaway.

If Isaac can develop a 3-point shot this could be one of the most dangerous fast breaks in the Eastern Conference.

Isaac is not a natural point guard, of course. The team is not going to give him the ball and expect him to create. The team is not that desperate for a point guard.

But certainly, there is potential in Isaac becoming more special if he can expand his playmaking and passing ability. That would unlock a new level to his game.

And that may still l be a few years down the road.

But even now, Steve Clifford would have to be willing to give the keys to the franchise to Isaac. The Magic have failed to develop their previous four lottery picks into NBA stars.

Next: Orlando Magic's clean slate begins with Steve Clifford

Now the team has another chance with Isaac.