2019 Orlando Magic Player Outlook: Jonathan Isaac

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Jonathan Isaac, Orlando Magic, Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns

LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 09: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns is guarded by Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic during the 2018 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 9, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Suns defeated the Magic 71-53. 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. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Becoming a cornerstone

It is quite common for superstar players to have made their “leap” in their second NBA season. Russell Westbrook, Paul George, Giannis Antetokounmpo and more all took big steps in the second year that put the NBA on notice.

So, this season is a big one for Jonathan Isaac in that sense.

Can Isaac improve enough to put the league on notice?

Defensively, Isaac has already cemented himself in only 27 games as a potential defensive linchpin. But questions remain for him. Will Jonathan Isaac merely be the next Andre Roberson or something much more?

This is what excited so many about Isaac’s Summer League performance. While his shooting percentages were not pretty — 35 percent — there seemed to be exponential improvement on the offensive side of the ball. Isaac led the team in scoring with 14.3 points per game and showed a lot more aggression than he had in his rookie year. And likely more than the Magic will actually want from him on the court this year. They were all positive steps.

If Isaac can carry over the same confidence he did in the Summer League into the regular season, Isaac might be in for his own breakout campaign.

Working in Isaac’s favor is the fact with the actual Magic team, as opposed to the Summer League team, Isaac does not need to play a starring role on offense. Aaron Gordon, Evan Fournier and Nikola Vucevic will likely once again be Orlando’s high-usage offensive players.

All Isaac needs to do is pick his spots well and prove he can be an option when called upon. If Isaac can be a consistent 3-point shooter and drive effectively off of that 3-point threat, the Magic may have found themselves a true franchise cornerstone.

Something to keep an eye on is the post-all-star break Magic. If the Magic are not competing for a playoff spot, Isaac should become an offensive focal point to end the year. That will be his chance to expand his game even more heading into another offseason.

If he shows the ability to shoot over defenders off the dribble as he did in summer league the NBA will certainly be put on notice for 2020.