Orlando Magic: Who will step up with Jonathan Isaac gone?

1. Mohamed Bamba

For some reason this gets forgotten about far more often then it should, but in Mohamed Bamba the Magic already have a player who has some of the same qualities as Isaac. Drafted one year apart (Bamba coming after Isaac), the current front office has shown that it is clearly enamored with what long and athletic defensive-minded players can bring to the franchise.

Bamba is not on the same level as Isaac. Right now it’s not even close. But they are of similar body type, and both have an outside jump shot that, although they need work, at least fundamentally exist (even more annoying was how Isaac had looked to have improved his jumper while away with the sprained knee).

The key difference is how Isaac has been allowed to grow more as a power forward who plays some center minutes, while Bamba is a center who can play power forward minutes. Positions don’t matter like they used to in the league, but there’s no doubt Bamba has had to try and grow in the league so far while competing more directly for minutes with Vucevic and Birch.

He’s also had to do it while typically defending massive big men, so to see Bamba put on some muscle during the stoppage in play was encouraging. This seems like the perfect opportunity to give him some more run, just to see if he is capable of taking the opportunity. It is a risk though, and coach Clifford will be well aware of that.

Bamba hasn’t shown so far during his time with the Magic that he can help contribute to winning basketball consistently. This is also not his fault, Bamba has played in only 109 games so far in his career, starting a single one. He too has had injuries, a concern for the Magic, as he fractured his leg last season.

This coincided with the Magic going on the run that would eventually lead them back to the playoffs, which again does not look good for the player. But as a former sixth overall pick, he needs to show to the organization that he can be trusted to be built around long-term. Something that can’t be said for Isaac right now. No one player has the chance to step up right now then Bamba.