Five biggest questions facing Orlando Magic in training camp

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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) /

How much have Jonathan Isaac and Mohamed Bamba improved?

The Orlando Magic have two key players who have not played a lot of NBA time. The Magic will be focused wholeheartedly on their development throughout the year, likely increasing their role and responsibility as the season moves on.

Jonathan Isaac appeared in only 27 games last year after spraining his ankle and struggling to get back on the floor. When he did return, he clearly did not have much of a rhythm and looked a bit lost on offense. Orlando essentially threw him on the floor and just kind of let him play.

Isaac proved himself as a solid defensive player. The Magic were significantly better defensively with Isaac on the floor more than any other player. And he looked as good defensively as ever throughout Summer League.

He was joined in Las Vegas with Mohamed Bamba.

The Magic’s sixth overall pick came to the team with his Combine record length and a defensive reputation. His 7-foot-10 wingspan helped him average 3.7 blocks per game with the Texas Longhorns. He averaged 2.3 blocks per game in Summer League, a proof of concept of his potential defensive impact.

But Bamba still has a lot to work on. Like Isaac, he is rail thin and has to add muscle. that has been a big part of both player’s summer.

He is also exceedingly raw. While Bamba can play defense as well as anyone, his offensive game still has a lot to develop. He displayed a newfound 3-point stroke that he worked on since the moment the college season ended. But no one knows if that will translate to the regular season.

The same could be said for Isaac’s overall game. No one is quite sure how ready either is to contribute in a major way this season. Part of the difficulty of predicting the Magic is predicting what Isaac and Bamba can be in the short term.

Orlando is likely to bring Bamba along slowly. Isaac could get penciled in as a starter because of his defensive impact, but it is still not clear what kind of role he can take on. He, after all, had durability issues last year after his ankle injury.

Both players are expected to have their spots and make an impact. But to what degree and what roles can and should they play this year to further their development? That is difficult to answer before they hit the floor.