Orlando Magic: Top 5 positives from their 2017 calendar year

Orlando Magic: Top 5 positives from a busy 2017

By Luke Duffy | Dec 31, 2017

ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 8: The Orlando Magic celebrate before the game against the Denver Nuggets on December 8, 2017 at the 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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Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images /

3. Drafting Jonathan Isaac

In forward Jonathan Isaac, the Magic finally look to have drafted the kind of player who will be able to impact the team immediately and in a variety of ways.

Since going sixth in the 2017 NBA Draft, Isaac’s career with the team has been of the stop-start variety as a result of a couple of niggling injuries.

Already though, it is clear once healthy that he has the kind of defensive ability to guard bigs in the paint or chase guards around the 3-point line.

That, and he’s got the kind of stroke that will only improve as he takes more shots. This will lead to the floor becoming even more spread for his teammates.

Most importantly of all though, Isaac is the kind of player that all NBA teams need these days. He’s long and versatile and can be a factor on both ends.

Previous lottery picks such as Elfrid Payton, Mario Hezonja or Victor Oladipo (now gone) have felt more specialist in that they didn’t have the versatility Isaac does.

Payton is a capable point guard, but doesn’t have a consistent jump shot. Hezonja has had his moments this season because of injuries to others, but still lacks confidence.

The team may be headed back to the lottery in 2018, but in Isaac at least, they have the kind of building block that makes sense in today’s game.

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