Thoughts on Orlando’s young core

 When you hear the Magic GM give an interview and when you hear Pelinka give an interview….Its no wonder why the magi cant get any freeagents. 

 I thought Isaac improved his ball handling in the summer league, looked like he could play SF at times.. Was pretty solid defensively too. If im the Magics Im giving alot of minutes to Bamba right at the beginning, they are not getting anywhere soon anyway, might aswell develop the young guys and let them learn them from their mistakes. 

 I’ve always and still due fell Isaac is overrated. He’s like a very broke man Rashad Lewis. He looks stiff, weak and clueless out there. I like MO and AG, they just need a PG. Wish they signed IT they need a guard who can go get buckets, think they could of competed for the 8th seed with IT. 

Orlando is been an absolute disaster for the last years, but after finally firing one of the worst general managers in history, Rob Hennigan, it seems the franchise is finding its way.

i really love their frontcore of J.Isaac-A.Gordon-M.Bamba as it could end up being one of the most athletic and versatiles in the league.

to me Isaac is clearly a SF, he showed in summer league that he can start plays, bring the ball up or start fast breaks and he looked pretty smooth and comfortable with the ball in his hands compared to last season. He also showed flashes of future star with those fade aways in the post and his defense is absolutely top. Of course he needs to be more consistent with his shot, but you know he’s still 20.

anyways in today’s positionless game, it is a luxury to have 2 players like Isaac and Gordon whom can switch positions in offense and defense and both can make plays.

if i was Orlando’s GM my main target would be Lonzo Ball; i think that after next year it will be pretty clear that he and Lebron cannot play together and he’ll get frustrated many times. I think that after next season he could be willing to leave LA as Lebron would still have 3 more years, and especially to go to a project like Orlando where they could have such an absolute brilliant future with the pieces they have.

then they would need a pure shooter at the 2; i would go hard after Buddy Hield, he guy that can really shoot with efficiency and seems that doesn’t have space in SAC with all those guards.

a core made of Ball-Hield/Fournier-Isaac-Gordon-Bamba would be a super long, athletic, versatile, exciting and intriguing team.

Well to me it looks like your getting at least one future all star in either Bamba or Isaac but I think they can both be all stars down the line. The problem is I think Isaac is a 4 and Gordon would be the odd man out. I tbink you send away Gordon for a young point guard that Will grow along side the futures of your franchise. Personally I’m a huge Isaac and Bamba fan, and at time Isaac looked unstoppable in the summer league. It all depends on coaching and how the front office builds around them

 isaac can do it all but score…

 I dont think most people truly understand Jonathan Isaac’s game. He has a very unique game.

 Offensively he plays like a SG. His ball handling is limited but he has tons of one dribble pull up shooting moves so if he is playing as stretch PF its gonna be very difficult to gaurd him because even if you close out he can shoot overtop you or blow by you and pull up and will always get his shot off. Hes a smart player that has studied alot of Durant and Rashard Lewis is a decent enough comparison although thats not a knock. Lewis was a dynamic scorer before being just a spot up jumpshooter in Orlando.

What really gives Isaac value is his defensive potential. He’s been getting pushed around due to lack of size early in his young career but his defensive instincts are off the charts. His length and flexibility allows him to get to spots and contest any shot. He is also a great athlete for his size. Him and Bamba are gauranteed to be a nightmare when they bulk up.

I feel like people just think he is a raw athlete with a bit of a jumpshot but if you look a little deeper youll realize he is a real student of the game who is passionate about the sport and has outstanding instincts that cant be taught.

 Start AG at PF he is not good at SF at all he always fails at it…You could maybe also put him as a small ball Center.

I would intially try ease Issac into the starting role ala Luke walton style, as he has done with Ingram and play him multiple positions and find out what his best fit is. Is he a PG,SG,PF or SF then move forward with it after the Allstar game as a starter at that Position. This could mean Gordon has one thing happen to him of these 3: relegated to 6th man role,Traded or Kept at PF.

Bamba: I would try let him ease into the NBA also for two reasons: 1) They need to move Nik V as he clearly doesnt help them win so need to pump up his trade value

and

 2) So he an build chemistry with Issac  then both start after Allstar. I would probably have to hope like crazy he puts on some mass/Size by allstar and that you can start moulding him into the Rudy Gobert type player that he could be.

The only things I would try definitely figure out by the deadline is this: Do you keep Gordon or move him and What can I do to keep Issac and Bamba healthy while adding size to their frames.

 Bamba + an the interchangeable Gordon and Isaac are a good start, but they still need a true PG to bring everything together. Like 2quick4u said, Lonzo Ball would be perfect on this team, but they have nothing to give up besides picks.

I was down on Isaac initially but after seeing him in summer league he looks like a  different player, much more confident and assertive. Reminds me of seeing Brandon Ingram take that step last season. 

I can see him putting up 14 & 6 next year

 Their "young core" is Gordon, Isaac and Bamba? One guy is good but flawed, and the other two have basically never played.

Look at other garbage teams.

The Bulls’ young core is Dunn, Lavine, Parker, Markkanen, Carter. 

The Nets’ young core is Russell, Dinwiddie, LeVert, Hollis-Jefferson, Allen

The Suns’ young core is Booker, Warren, Jackson, Bridges, Ayton.

The Kings’ young core is Fox, Hield, Jackson, Bagley, Cauley-Stein.

Hell, the Celtics, Sixers and Lakers have better "young cores" than Orlando, and will finish 30 games ahead of them in the standings!

Orlando is not in good shape.