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2018-19 Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: Jonathan Isaac

By Philip Rossman-Reich

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 20: Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic handles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 20, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 20: Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic handles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 20, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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) /
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Jonathan Isaac, Orlando Magic, Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – FEBRUARY 12: Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic shoots against Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at the Smoothie King Center on February 12, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

2020 Outlook

Without a doubt, Jonathan Isaac’s stock is rising.

He was a key factor to the team making a playoff push, filling the role as a 3-and-D player, essentially. Maybe he was a bit more.

He clearly has good defensive instincts and even the playoffs had everyone thinking he would be a future all-defensive team player. That is something he already brings to the table at a near-elite level.

Offensively, Isaac started to get more confident with his shot and become more confident with the ball in his hands. He was not doing anything crazy or outside of his abilities, he was not pushing his bounds. But he played comfortably and effectively. It was exactly what this team needed.

But everyone certainly believes Isaac can and will do more. Everyone believes he is destined to do greater things. The Magic’s young core, as many view it, is Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac, Mohamed Bamba and Markelle Fultz.

Aaron Gordon is the furthest along. Isaac is right behind him.

Is this the year that he takes that next step?

Everyone often says players make their biggest leaps between their rookie and second seasons. Summer League showed a more aggressive Isaac willing to take shots and work off the dribble. That was encouraging but rudimentary. His defense in Summer League was still his biggest impact area.

Isaac will not have a Summer League to show the world how he is progressing. But the expectation is for him to make a pretty sizable leap this year as if it were coming off his rookie year.

Related Story. 2018 Orlando Magic Player Evaluation: Jonathan Isaac. light

His defense got him into the starting lineup before he was truly ready for the role. He took ownership of the role this season. And Isaac is a starter in pen next season.

The next step for him will be getting to the point where he is finishing games more comfortably and taking on a larger share of the offense. He had a fairly low 16.3 percent usage rate. The Magic want to see that bump up and see him be willing to take more players off the dribble, hunting for his shot on occasion.

More than anything else, the 2020 season is going to help define just what Isaac’s ceiling could be. If he becomes a second or third offensive option, that bodes well for what he can become. If he stays sort of the same offensively, that too will show what direction his career might be.