2019 Orlando Magic Player Outlook: Jonathan Isaac

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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 6: Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic dunks the ball 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) /

What To Look For

It is hard to say exactly what the Orlando Magic should look for from Jonathan Isaac this season.

With new head coach Steve Clifford, we can only guess what his plans for Jonathan Isaac are this year. That being said, Clifford has an indisputable record as a defensive-minded coach and that is where Isaac excels.

While some concerns about spacing may scare off analysts and even other coaches, Clifford has a track record of starting a less-than-stellar shooter at the small forward spot. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist started every game he suited up in for the Charlotte Hornets the past two seasons under Steve Clifford and that was almost entirely a product of his defense.

With no offense to Kidd-Gilchrist, who is an outstanding defender in his own right, Isaac provides an even stronger defensive weapon in addition to superior shooting. I would expect that Jonathan Isaac comes into training camp competing with Terrence Ross and Jonathon Simmons for that final “wing” starting spot and for him to run away with it. Certainly at some point this season if it does not happen immediately.

Isaac truly could be in the running for the Most Improved Player Award if the award was not actually the most improved points per game award. Isaac could make a pretty sizeable leap from his rookie to his second season. And it is not just about his health.

Isaac will be a game-changing defender if healthy. He has an insanely high basketball IQ in general but especially on defense. He knows when to help and how much he needs to help. He has the athleticism as well as the instincts to recover well.

For all of the people who have watched the Magic during the post-Dwight Howard era, Jonathan Isaac’s typically small defensive efforts loom large when you recognize that almost no Magic players this era commit to these types of plays.

If Orlando ends up being a top 15 defensive team this season it will likely be thanks to Isaac’selite-level defensive play.