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2019 Orlando Magic Season Review: 5 questions for the Orlando Magic’s offseason

By Philip Rossman-Reich

DETROIT, MI - MARCH 28: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic handles the ball against the Detroit Pistons on March 28, 2019 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - MARCH 28: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic handles the ball against the Detroit Pistons on March 28, 2019 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors, Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac, Orlando Magic
TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 24: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball as Aaron Gordon #00 and Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic defend during the second half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on February 24, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

Can Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac take over on offense?

The Orlando Magic’s playoff series with the Toronto Raptors did not have many bright spots. But the one thing that was clear after the series concluded was how important both Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac are to the team’s future.

It was their defense on Kawhi Leonard and Pascal Siakam that gave the team early hope and at least made the series feel competitive. Jonathan Isaac’s foul trouble in the first half of Game 4 was when that game started to turn sour. And the Raptors took full control after Aaron Gordon picked up his third foul in the second quarter and both Gordon and Jonathan Isaac were out of the game.

Throughout the series, you could feel the groans whenever Isaac was off the floor and Siakam was in. Fans were begging coach Steve Clifford to play Jonathan Isaac more even if it hurt the team’s reeling offense.

Isaac was probably not quite ready for that stage. Not wholly. The Raptors ignored him on offense and dared him to shoot. He finished making just 4 of his 20 3-pointers in the playoff series. And the Magic were not really comfortable letting him attack off the dribble.

Gordon had a difficult matchup in the playoffs going up against Leonard. It took him a little while to feel comfortable to go after him and try to get his own scoring. And by then he was forcing everything.

On paper, at least, Gordon looked like he had a good series, averaging 15.2 points per game, 7.2 rebounds per game and 3.6 assists per game on a tidy 53.2 percent effective field goal percentage.

It was clear how important both Gordon and Isaac were to everything the Magic were trying to do in the playoffs. They had big hills to climb and they struggled to rise to the challenge. And certainly, that is what will eat at both of them this offseason as they look to improve.

Both Gordon and Isaac had strong seasons overall.

Related Story. Remember the Orlando Magic as they were, not how they finished. light

Isaac was healthy after his injury-riddled rookie year. It took him some time to get comfortable and find his NBA legs, but he fulfilled a major role for the team. It was not just his defense that mattered.

Gordon did not become the breakout scorer his 2018 season seemed to promise. But he played more under control and became a better playmaker and passer. On top of becoming a more efficient and effective shooter and a better two-way player.

But moving forward, the Magic will need to see both of them grow. They have already established they can be terrors defensively. Both Gordon and Isaac will anchor the team’s defense for years to come (with a massive 7-foot, 7-foot-10 wingspan backstop still incubating on the bench).

The team will go as far as their offense will take them. These are the two clear future potential stars of this team. If the Magic want to be more than an also-ran in the playoffs, they will need one or both of these players to take a leap offensively.

Orlando desperately needs someone who can take their man off the dribble. Gordon has shown some ability to do so. Isaac has a nice dribble pull up, but he is still so raw on that end it felt like any offense was a bonus. There were enough spurts to believe.

For both really. there were spurts enough to believe they could take the leap. But it will still come down to the work they put in this offseason and how they develop. For the Magic to get back tot he playoffs, they will need both Gordon and Isaac to step up offensively and be more reliable offensive options.