2017 NBA draft grades: Magic looking to build around Jonathan Isaac's versatility
With a 29-53 record, the Magic's season certainly didn't pan out the way the team hoped. Orlando went all-in on a defense-first strategy, bolstered by a trade for Serge Ibaka that sent Victor Oladipo, 2016 first-round pick Domantas Sabonis and Ersan Ilyasova to the Thunder last offseason. Ibaka struggled to be the rim protector Orlando needed him to be, leading the way for the Magic to finish as one of the worst defensive teams in the league. After former general manager Rod Hennigan was let go, Orlando brought in Jeff Weltman as president of basketball operations and John Hammond as general manager ahead of this week's draft.
Given the team's widespread needs, it's difficult to identify one position group the Magic might hone in on. It's more likely they'll use their pair of first-round picks to take the most talented players available and build around them.
Here's the full list of picks the Magic hold in the 2017 draft, which will be updated with grades and analysis as each selection is made.
2017 NBA Draft Grades: Pick-By-Pick Analysis
Round 1, Pick 6 (No. 6 overall): Jonathan Isaac, F, Florida State
Orlando was rumored to have promised Isaac at this spot, and rolling the dice on his long-term potential makes a lot of sense for the Magic as they begin to chart course with Jeff Weltman and John Hammond running the show. Isaac had a case as high as the third pick (and in a different year would surely have gone higher) but comes with more risk than the players selected before him given his slight frame and inconsistent play as a freshman for Florida State. That said, his best-case scenario would give the Magic a strong piece to build around, as versatile, tall front-court shooters don’t come along every day. Orlando doesn’t immediately address a need with this selection, but the Isaac pick is a clear indication of the Magic’s timeframe. — Jeremy Woo
Grade: A-
Round 2, Pick 3 (No. 33 overall): Wesley Iwundu
