What If Magic PF Jonathan Isaac Never Got Hurt?
Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac has had an unhealthy relationship with injuries. He showed elite promise at a young age, but injury-after-injury tanked both his potential and value.
"As a rangy, 6-foot-11 forward, Isaac was beginning to look like a modern-day version of Andrei Kirilenko -- a truly dynamic talent," ESPN writes.
"Then came a left knee injury suffered on Jan. 1, 2020. That began a series of injuries that has caused Isaac to play in just 13 of Orlando's 275 games over the past three-plus seasons."
The forward looked like a player the Magic would have to value exponentially through the course of their rebuild. Now, it seems as if Isaac, if retained through the rebuild, will take a backset to the new young core.
"The idealized, healthy version of Isaac would be a perfect complementary player in Orlando's frontcourt -- particularly next to Paolo Banchero, as Isaac would take on the top defensive assignment while Banchero would perform the heavy lifting at the other end," ESPN writes.
While the fit with Isaac is there, if the Magic wants to keep a consistent offensive rhythm, he's best utilized off the bench. Isaac could be plugged in when the team needs a stopping force most, rather than starting a game and the team struggling to get in an offensive flow early.
If Isaac doesn't get hurt, though, the team likely builds in a way that allows Banchero and him to take the forward positions together instead of the way they've built currently. The team would need even more spacing on the perimeter and a big man that won't congest the lane.
There's a chance Isaac is able to play on the team as they find their way to the postseason. The injuries changed the trajectory of what impact he will be able to make in doing so, but the reality is he will be a role player when that time comes.
You can follow Kade Kimble on Twitter @KadeKimble.
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