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Orlando Magic have lineup options in bringing back Jonathan Isaac

By Dan Bennett

Jonathan Isaac is still rehabbing from his knee injury and likely will not be ready to go for training camp. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Jonathan Isaac is still rehabbing from his knee injury and likely will not be ready to go for training camp. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
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Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic, Karl-Anthony Townes, Minnesota Timberwolves
Franz Wagner made a major statement as the Orlando Magic defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /

Preparing for Jonathan Isaac’s Return

Franz Wagner

Franz Wagner has been a revelation since the Orlando Magic drafted him in July. He has surprised a lot of people.

The former Michigan Wolverine is currently averaging 13.6 points per game while shooting 44.0-percent from the field and 36.5-percent from three. He has quickly become a fan favurite thanks to his intelligence on the court, solid defense and some eye-catching dunks thrown in for good measure.

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Wagner has a great combination of size, skill and speed and can handle the ball well for someone of his size at 6-foot-9. He can create for others with his passing ability and has already showcased a wide variety of ways to score, quickly establishing himself as one of the Magic’s most dependable players.

With all that considered, there is absolutely no reason to take Wagner out of the starting five when he has performed so well already in his young career.

Often, rookies can benefit more from being used in a bench role to start their careers, giving them the opportunity to adjust to the speed and physicality of the NBA and develop their games against weaker second unit opposition.

But Wagner does not need that. His diverse skill set allows him to play the 3-spot extremely well despite his size being more suited to the 4 and he fulfills the modern NBA requirement of spacing the floor at the position thanks to his shooting capabilities.

While the Magic have found some success pairing their two young centers together so far this season, it is not likely the end game for this franchise. They have long prided themselves on their versatility and having wings who could switch and defend easily.

Wagner and Isaac would make for a dangerous and devastating defensive pair.

With the 20-year-old developing as well as he is in his current role, it would not make much sense to take him out of the starting group to instead install Isaac at small forward.