Orlando Magic: 5 goals for Jonathan Isaac’s rookie season
By Max Holm
2. Start 20 or more games
This particular goal is probably a bit out of Isaac’s control. Given how many big men are currently under contract for the Magic, there isn’t a lot of room for he or Aaron Gordon to experiment at the 5. That means there’s a chance Isaac will play out of position a lot to rack up that many starts.
He’s a future 4-man with some small-ball 5 potential, but don’t be surprised if he’s forced to play at small forward. Evan Fournier and Jonathon Simmons will get most of the minutes at the 2, with either guy potentially seeing minutes at the 3 as well.
Small forward is probably going to Terrence Ross to start the year, but given Isaac’s defensive profile and nature as a young, promising player, that would be a mistake.
Which brings to the dilemma of Isaac vs. Gordon. Gordon is best off at the 4 given his inability to stretch the floor. Isaac can do much better, but is far from a sharpshooter. Now, that’s what makes this pairing odd for the Magic. Fit does matter sometimes and it’s hard to see a version of the Magic starting Gordon and Isaac down the road. Yet, any struggles by the former could allow Isaac some starts at power forward.