With the NBA Draft coming up on June 22, A Royal Pain is covering the prospects the Sacramento Kings could select. Today, we take a look at Jonathan Isaac.
The Sacramento Kings have two top ten selections in the June 22 NBA Draft. They also hold a second round selection that falls at pick 34 overall. That gives the Kings three opportunities to improve their squad through the draft. I am sure you want to know more about these potential players and what they could offer the Kings, so the staff at A Royal Pain is going to profile the prospects to give you more information about each and every player.
Today, we will be taking a look at an almost guaranteed top ten selection in Jonathan Isaac. First, we will look at some standard background information and then, move into his strengths and weakness. I will also discuss his fit on the Kings and wrap up with some final thoughts. Let us jump right into it.
Background Information (via Draft Express)
Height- 6’11
Weight- 205 lbs
Position- SF/PF
Age- 19 (Born: October 3, 1997)
College- Florida State
Hometown- Bronx, NY
College Stats (via Sports Reference)
2016-2017: 12.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.5 blocks, 1.5 turnovers, 1.0 three-pointers made in 26.2 minutes per game over 32 games. Shooting percentages: 50.8% field, 34.8 three-point, 78.0 free throw
2016-2017 Highlight video
Strengths
Defense
I do not see a player in this draft class with as much defensive potential as Jonathan Isaac. Isaac was measured at the Nike Hoops Summit in 2016 with a 7’1 wingspan and a nine-foot standing reach. He is clearly a tall man, but he has speed and quickness to boot. The defense is still raw in a few areas, but he has the skills to improve. His size and speed combo allow him to make defending look effortless at times.
I love to see a player averaging 1.2 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game like Isaac did last year at Florida State. That is a great block rate for a non-traditional rim protector. If he can translate similar numbers in the NBA, he will be a pest on the defensive end.
The defensive versatility is a huge part of his game. Isaac can guard any player one through four on the court. He is a willing defender and has no problem switching on guards. With the NBA’s transformation into position-less basketball, Isaac will be a valuable defensive asset to a team right away.
Isaac was a great rebounder at Florida State as well. He attacked the glass and averaged 12.0 rebounds per 40 minutes last season. A combo forward that is willing to pull down boards is another asset that will make Isaac intriguing to NBA clubs.
If there is one player in this draft class that turns into a defensive stopper a la Kawhi Leonard, my money is on Isaac to be that man.
Offense
Jonathan Isaac makes for an intriguing stretch four on the offensive end of the floor. He is a great leaper as you saw in the highlight video with a nice looking jump shot. His percentages at Florida State were not fabulous, but I think there is room for improvement there.
Isaac has no “elite” skill on offense according to DraftExpress, but he strikes me as a jack of all trades. He is hard to deal with in transition and has a so-so handle. Isaac can shoot a little bit and can play above the rim. Nothing jumps out as that will be his outstanding skill in the league, but he can do a bit of everything on offense.
Weaknesses
Frame
I mentioned Isaac as an intriguing stretch four on the offensive end of the floor, but he has a slight frame for that. Isaac weighs just 205 pounds. When Kevin Durant entered the NBA, he was 6’10 and weighed 215 pounds according to DraftExpress or a hair shorter and heavier than Isaac. The knock on Durant was always he was too skinny, and it has not stopped KD from being great, but it will be difficult for Isaac to guard NBA fours at that weight.
Isaac may struggle in the NBA initially because of this. Think Brandon Ingram from last season.
Consistency
Jonathan Isaac seemed to lack the consistency you want to see from a top ten pick against NCAA competition. He was prone to bouts of streaky shooting at Florida State. In his last 15 games with the Noles, Isaac shot just 30% from three-point range according to DraftExpress.
He needs to improve his consistency, but if that is the second worst thing you can say about a prospect clearly the future is bright for Jonathan Isaac.
Fit with Sacramento
I love Jonathan Isaac’s fit with the Sacramento Kings. Sacramento ranked 27th in the NBA in defensive rating and 24th in points allowed last regular season. My colleague, Michael Dugger, wrote an article last month outlining how the defense was the key to the Kings turning their fortunes around. You can read that article here, and he is spot on with his analysis, so what better player to take than the prospect with the most defensive upside?
The Kings play in a division with Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, Devin Booker, and D’Angelo Russell all lighting up the lamp on a nightly basis and Isaac may be the player that could guard each player. I think Isaac would instantly be their best wing defender and give the Kings a much-needed boost on that end of the floor.
I, also, believe Sacramento would be a good fit for Isaac. Head Coach Dave Joerger came from Memphis and had made the playoffs all three years as head coach on a defense first team. Imagine if the Kings front office sits Isaac in front of Coach Joerger and says mold him into your defensive stopper. I think Coach Joerger can bring the best out of Isaac on the defensive end and unlock the potential into reality.
Final Thoughts
There you have it, the prospect profile on consensus top ten selection Jonathan Isaac. Big thanks to DraftExpress for all their help in producing this piece. They are a fantastic resource for prospects so go check them out.
The more footage I see of Isaac, the more I like his game and think he is underrated. I see some unique defensive abilities I do not see from any other prospect with offensive upside. Even if the offense does not develop, he looks like an exciting three and D wing. I would argue the Kings should target Isaac at pick five if he is still around and hope one of the five premium point guards falls to them at pick ten. There are five point guards with upside, but I only see one Jonathan Isaac in this draft.
Next: A Royal Prospect: De'Aaron Fox
A Royal Pain has all the content you desire about the Sacramento Kings this offseason. In addition to the draft, we will be covering free agency and all the juicy rumors. Please check back with us often. Thank you for reading.