Five Orlando Magic takeaways from NBA Summer League

1 of 6

Jonathan Isaac, Mohamed Bamba, Orlando Magic

LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 6: Jonathan Isaac #1 and Mohamed Bamba #5 of the Orlando Magic look on during the game against the Brooklyn Nets during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 6, 2018 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Orlando Magic got to see their two first-round picks from the last two years show off defensively. They learned plenty else from Summer League.

Orlando Magic went quiet for the summer with Deonte Burton hitting a jumper from inside the free throw line over Chance Comanche. The Oklahoma City Thunder’s 87-85 victory came with the Orlando Magic sitting several of its key players — including first-round pick Mohamed Bamba and second-year player Jonathan Isaac.

Those two actually sat out the last two games of Summer League. The tournament phase of the event, if you will. Orlando did not put any focus on that.

Really, judging by how the team played, it was not put together with much thought of balance. Orlando had a few goals to accomplish and winning would be a nice side effect of them. But the team’s poor shooting and lack of outside threats were not the concern.

The goal was to establish a defensive identity and allow Jonathan Isaac and Mohamed Bamba a lot of freedom on that end. And to maybe give Isaac some freedom offensively to take as many shots as he needed. He certainly did that.

The first two games for Orlando were a revelation defensively. Especially the 30-point win over the Memphis Grizzlies.

No one should read into it more than they should. Results do not matter. Summer League only offers some clues into what the future holds for these players. And the closed-door practices are just as valuable in telling coaches who can make it in September and October as much as the games.

The games also left clues for what the Magic’s new coaching staff will value when the main team comes together. Especially with the group that Jeff Weltman and John Hammond are slowly putting together.

The Magic ended up going 2-3 in Summer League. Their final two games really saw them pack it in and rest the key players that will matter most to them when the regular season begins.

Now that the Magic are heading home from Las Vegas for the summer, here are five takeaways from Summer League.