Terrence Ross is the forgotten returning player for the Orlando Magic

Terrence Ross arrived in Orlando every bit the mystery he was in Toronto. That mystery has him in the crosshairs of a potential position battle.

There were not a lot of Orlando Magic players still in town when Summer League took place last July. Many of them were taking some much-deserved time away from the Amway Center and on their own — whether it was back in their hometowns or taking a short vacation.

It was easy to miss Terrence Ross. He snuck in for the first few days, sitting with the Magic’s new management group and coach Frank Vogel as he watched the team’s young players play.

Judging by Ross’ Snapchat account and other social media posts this summer, he was probably waiting for everyone to clear out so he could get his work in. Everyone left town for the majority of the summer, but Ross has largely stayed in his new home. Outside of a promotional trip to China, Ross has made his home at the Amway Center. All with one goal in mind — getting better and making the most of his chance with the Magic next season.

Like everyone else, Ross has to prove himself all over again.

It is definitely another big summer for Ross. The five-year pro has tantalized with his talent at various occasions. Everyone seems to believe he can take a step up as a scorer. They remember his 50-point game with the Toronto Raptors and look at his athleticism and shooting and see a player with plenty of promise.

At 25 years old, there is still time for him to improve as he is entering his prime.

With the Magic last year, starting full time for the first time since the 2015 season, Ross averaged a solid 12.5 points per game. He shot a 51.7 percent effective field goal percentage, with 34.1 percent shooting from beyond the arc.

There is room for him to grow and improve still.

But his growth has come slowly. He has not reached the potential everyone had for him. And there is always pressure coming. Rosters constantly change.

The Magic’s roster changed too, leaving Ross again fighting for his role.

Orlando struck on the wings in free agency. The team added Jonathon Simmons as the big free agent signing. The 27-year-old, second-year pro established himself with the San Antonio Spurs as a defensive ace off the bench. He is still growing as a player. But he showed his offensive capabilities in the Playoffs, averaging 10.5 points per game and shooting 50.4 percent effective field goal percentage.

The team also added Arron Afflalo in free agency. Arron Afflalo is a veteran who has shown a penchant for scoring in the mid-post throughout his career. Since his last stint with the Magic, he has developed as a 3-point shooter too.

Afflalo is more of a role player though. He is not much of a threat to displace anyone, it would seem.

But there are plenty who believe Jonathon Simmons may one day push for a starter’s role this coming season. Some even call for him to start immediately, even with his struggles from beyond the arc.

There seems like a competition brewing to start on the wing between Ross and Simmons. Nothing is guaranteed for Ross, even as the incumbent and even with last year’s starter’s success after the All-Star Break.

That probably says more about the way Ross played to end last year — and throughout his career.

Everyone remembers Ross’ 51-point game in Jan. 2014. But as his former coach, Dwayne Casey, joked, Ross followed that up by scoring 10 points. That is the kind of inconsistency that has plagued Ross’ career. He never quite hit the highs everyone thought he could reach.

Toronto essentially relegated him to a bench role because the team could not trust what he would do from a night-to-night basis.

With the Magic, Ross saw a bit more consistency. He had a seven-game stretch with at least 14 points with six games with at least 15. Ross did not have many games that were outright duds as a starter. Not until the end of the season. But he also did not have any offensive explosions — the closest was his 29 points against the Indiana Pacers late in the season.

Orlando was still figuring out how to use Ross as the season came to a close. They gave him a little more playmaking responsibility and his passing impressed initially. Orlando also used him more on curls and in the mid-range than beyond the arc.

It was all a lot of trial and error. And defensively, Ross was still a bit hit or miss. He clearly has the athleticism and shooting ability to work in a transition offense.

On one hand, then, Ross seems like he will benefit as much as anyone from a full summer in the Magic’s system (assuming they keep what worked last year). On the other hand, Ross has spent an entire career failing to live up to expectations. He has spent a career being solid, but not what everyone expects.

And that always makes him ripe for discussion for a change of role from starter to reserve. The story of his career.

This summer has raised those questions all over again. Whether it comes from Simmons pressuring him on the roster or fans just searching for an easy way for the team to get better. Ross fits right into those crosshairs. How he plays and whether he can step up his game and become a full-time starter will be a continuing storyline for the Magic this season.

That is all in the future.

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Ross, meanwhile, continues to put his work in at the Amway Center behind closed doors. He will leave the answers to those questions for training camp and the season in October.