Orlando Magic: 2017 NBA Draft grades

Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Jonathan Isaac (Florida State) is introduced by NBA commissioner Adam Silver as the number six overall pick to the Orlando Magic in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Orlando Magic had one of the most intriguing nights at the 2017 NBA Draft, landing two intriguing prospects and making a pair of deals to build for the future.

In search of their first playoff berth since 2012, the Orlando Magic placed an emphasis on versatility with their first selection in the 2017 NBA Draft.

Trapped in the longest playoff drought in franchise history, Orlando is hoping its three draft selections Thursday night will be enough to move into playoff contention this year and provide the building blocks of a potential championship contender in the near future.

With four of the first 35 picks in the 2017 NBA Draft, the team was active on the trade market throughout the night, beginning with the No. 25 pick, used on Andzejs Pasecniks, a forward out of Latvia going to Philadelphia for a future first round pick.

Prior to dealing Pasecniks, the Magic shipped the 35th overall selection to Memphis in exchange for a future second round pick (in 2019).

Orlando tabbed the prospect with perhaps the most upside in the class of 2017 with the sixth overall pick, hoping his combination of size, athleticism and shooting touch on the perimeter translates into a matchup nightmare on both ends of the floor.

Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Jonathan Isaac (Florida State) is introduced by NBA commissioner Adam Silver as the number six overall pick to the Orlando Magic in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

No. 6 — Jonathan Isaac

The Orlando Magic are hoping their quest to find an All-Star caliber player to fill the void created by dealing away Dwight Howard five summers ago is finally over.

Waiting for the Magic with the sixth overall pick was a tantalizing prospect that went to college just 250 miles away at Florida State.

Issac instantly becomes the most versatile frontcourt defender on the team, as his 6'11" frame is accompanied by a 7'1″ wingspan, providing head coach Frank Vogel with a rim protector on one end who is capable of converting from the perimeter on the other.

Only 13 other NCAA players managed to total at least 30 made shots from three-point range and reject 45 shots last season.

Unlike the five players selected prior to him, there are immediate needs that must be addressed before Isaac can make viable contributions in the NBA.

The 19-year-old addressed the concerns about his weight, since he is only 205 pounds as he transitions into professional basketball.

"I definitely got to get stronger, that's the first thing that I've got to focus on," Isaac said during ESPN's broadcast of the 2017 NBA Draft. "I'm going to gain weight, but my first thing is getting stronger."

Perhaps no player has more upside than Isaac, as he provides the size of a center at the small forward position.

Shortly after being selected by the Magic, Isaac announced he will be wearing perhaps the most storied number in franchise history.

Both Anfernee Hardaway and Tracy McGrady wore No. 1 during their time with the organization.

Orlando is hoping Isaac develops into a player capable of guarding four or five positions, giving Vogel plenty of opportunities to employ new defensive schemes.

As the league continues to emphasize rim protection and three-point acumen, few players were able to make significant contributions on both ends.

Only 20 players totaled at least 50 made three-point field goals and blocked 50 shots last season. Serge Ibaka became the first player in franchise history to accomplish the feat, but he was dealt at the trade deadline as Orlando slipped out of playoff contention.

The Magic are hoping Isaac can reach those levels multiple times during his career.

During his lone season with the Seminoles, Isaac shot 50.8 percent from the field, 78 percent at the foul line and connected on 34.8 percent of his attempts from three-point range. Isaac led the team in blocks and rebounds, while ranking second in scoring and steals.

Orlando scored 103.7 points per game, the second-fewest in the league, but the addition of Isaac may generate additional scoring options from every spot on the floor.

Grade: B+

Jan 3, 2017; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats forward Wesley Iwundu (25) celebrates after scoring a three point basket during the second half against the Kansas Jayhawks at Allen Fieldhouse. Kansas won 90 to 88. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

No. 33 Wesley Iwundu

Very few lockdown defenders were available at the backcourt positions in the class of 2017, but the Orlando Magic lucked into one early in the second round.

Kansas State shooting guard Wesley Iwundu was passed on 32 times, but Orlando made sure he wouldn't slip any further.

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The 6'7″ guard is expected to become a 3-and-D type player and with so few available Thursday night, the Magic tabbed Iwundu a bit earlier than many mock drafts believed.

Prior to Iwundu, the only other players selected capable of fulfilling the 3-and-D role were Justin Jackson (Sacramento), Terrance Ferguson (Oklahoma City) and OG Anunoby (Toronto).

Improvements on the perimeter are a necessity, as the Magic ranked 29th in three-point field goal percentage while allowing opponents to convert 36.7 percent from beyond the arc.

Iwundu became the first Wildcat to ever post at least 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 300 assists and 100 steals in their career, and improved his long range shot as a senior.

The 22-year-old guard knocked down 37.6 percent of his attempts from three-point range, while nearly doubling his made field goals from beyond the arc from his first three collegiate seasons.

Draft Grade: B

Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Jonathan Isaac (Florida State) is introduced as the number six overall pick to the Orlando Magic in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Building for the future

Instead of transforming its G-League affiliate into one of the most powerful teams, the Orlando Magic managed to add players capable of contributing next season, while adding two future prospects.

The Magic received two future picks, a 2020 first-rounder belonging to Oklahoma City (protected 1-20, converts into two second-rounders if it's not conveyed) and a second round pick from the 76ers, for the draft rights of Andzejs Pasecniks at No. 25.

Orlando also managed to transform Ivan Rabb (No. 35) into a future second round selection from Memphis. Adding four rookies to a roster featuring six key contributors under the age of 26 simply didn't make sense.

The selection of Jonathan Isaac was a bit of a surprise, as he never worked out for the team and prior to hearing his name called by NBA commissioner Adam Silver, hadn't received any indication the Magic would select him.

While Orlando never tipped its selection, even to Isaac, he has an opportunity to immediately become the face of a franchise in desperate need of a superstar.

The lack of success, combined with a roster returning five players that averaged between 12 and 17.2 points per game a year ago, enables Isaac a chance to tap into his potential — something he felt he was unable to do in college.

Iwundu addresses a pressing need for a defender on the perimeter, but will likely need some time to develop prior to making consistent contributions.

While Orlando added to promising pieces to the roster, it also managed to land three future picks, perhaps adding some much-needed depth as it transitions from a potentially explosive team into a legitimate threat.

Final Grade: B+