Ahead of what should be a very important summer for the Orlando Magic, how does Nelson factor into their depth chart? Let’s examine!<\/p>\n
A way-too-early Orlando Magic depth chart projection for 2026-27:Point guard: Jalen Suggs\/Anthony Black\/Jase RichardsonShooting guard: Desmond BaneSmall Forward: Franz Wagner\/Tristan da SilvaPower Forward: Paolo Banchero\/Noah Penda\/NelsonCenter: Wendell Carter Jr.\/Goga Bitadze<\/p>\n
This very early projection does not include Isaac, who could be<\/a> waived-and-stretched at any moment between now and next week. I also don’t have fan favorite Moe Wagner or Jevon Carter, both of whom are unrestricted free agents this summer.<\/p>\n Why Izaiyah Nelson may not factor into rotation right away: Mar 19, 2026; Buffalo, NY, USA; South Florida Bulls forward Izaiyah Nelson (35) reacts during the second half against the Louisville Cardinals during a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Keybank Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images | Mark Konezny-Imagn Images<\/p>\n A lot can happen between now and October when training camp breaks. There are also unknown variables with Sean Sweeney’s philosophy as it pertains to substitution patterns and rotations.<\/p>\n But my guess is that Nelson begins the season on the outside-looking-in regarding the Magic rotation. There’s a non-zero chance he begins the season in Osceola to work on his jump shooting and offensive profile.<\/p>\n Nelson’s skillset is more of a standard big than a big wing. But the reigning American Athletic Conference Player of the Year is still quite thin (210 lbs.) at his size. He’ll need beef up.<\/p>\n Nelson was an excellent rebounder and athletic play finisher in the open court. He led the AAC in rebounds per game last year and sported a career 13.7 offensive rebound percentage. That ranks in the 92nd percentile<\/a> of all players 6-foot-9 or taller who played at least 2,000 minutes from 2022-26. <\/p>\n The 6-foot-10 wing also projects to be a multi-positional defender who can hold his own in space. He showed those flashes at South Florida. Though his ability to absorb contact from bigger 4s\/5s remains a big question. He only shot 85 career threes (49 as a senior) with just 13 makes — amounting to a 15.3 3-point percentage.<\/p>\n His free-throw indicators (72.5 FT% as a senior, 67.9 percent for career) aren’t poor, but it’s imperative his jumper improves to stick in the NBA, let alone with the Orlando Magic, a bottom-five team in 3-point percentage last year.<\/p>\n Now’s your time to sprinkle a little Magic dust on Nelson, coach Sweeney!<\/p>\n![\"Izaiyah](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/01kvzse0g32a3x5vcd1d.jpg\" "\\"Izaiyah")
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