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Orlando Magic: 5 bold predictions for 2017-18 NBA season

By Luke Duffy

ORLANDO, FL - JULY 18: A shot of the Orlando Magic hallway during media availability on July 18, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - JULY 18: A shot of the Orlando Magic hallway during media availability on July 18, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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4. Jonathan Isaac shoots 34 percent from 3-point range

Jonathan Simmons was the Magic’s sixth pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, and he comes to the team with some pressure to produce.

Orlando has whiffed on every pick it’s made in the last five years, with Aaron Gordon and Elfrid Payton being the closest things it’s had to serviceable young players. The Magic haven’t hit on one sure thing to lead their rebuild into the next phase, and to look at a list of the players they declined picking is difficult reading.

The hope is that Isaac’s versatility could be exactly what this team needs, and there’s no doubt he’ll be able to stretch the floor for more conventional players like Payton.

In his lone season at Florida State last year, Isaac shot 34.8 percent from 3-point range. Repeating that feat in the pros his rookie season would be quite the achievement.

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But even though he’ll be playing against better players with the 3-point line further from the basket, it’s not out of the question for him to shoot a similar percentage again.

Assuming he could, and comparing it to the percentages of the players on the team last season, Isaac would have come in fourth among all qualifying players.

That list also includes Jodie Meeks, who led the team in long range shooting at 40.1 percent, but who only appeared in 36 games through injury.

Isaac’s percentage would have also been higher than team marksman Terrence Ross (34.1 percent).

Given that the team ranked second-to-last in 3-point shooting last year (32.8 percent) it would be a massive help to this franchise and should be Isaac’s goal.

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