2019 Orlando Magic Player Outlook: Terrence Ross

4 of 5

Terrence Ross, Orlando Magic, Minnesota Timberwolves

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 22: Terrence Ross #31 of the Orlando Magic goes for a lay up against the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 22, 2017 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Finding his fit

The Orlando Magic have drafted well in the last two years. They now have a strong core to build around. Between Jonathan Isaac, Mohamed Bamba and Aaron Gordon, the Magic have an identity and a sense of who the team is and what they will be.

The question now is, what will the rest of the team look like? And what do the Magic need to push towards contention over the next couple years?

The question for Terrence Ross is: Is he part of the team’s core?

He is one of the oldest players on the team at 27 years old. Although that is not saying much.

The only players older than him are D.J. Augustin, Jonathon Simmons, Nikola Vucevic and Timofey Mozgov. The Magic have a very young team, which would surely benefit from someone like Ross, who has been around the NBA for quite some time.

Whether Ross is on the Magic this time next year is up for debate. It would not be unreasonable to think he might end up on a contender, collecting a sizable paycheck for some bench scoring and defense. His timeline does not quite fit with that of Orlando’s, especially if he wants to be a sixth man and an active participant in a playoff run within the next year or two.

If he stays on the Magic, he would likely be a veteran guy, playing off the bench and being a guiding hand for the new guys on the team.

Furthermore, there is really only one starting spot available for Terrence Ross and Evan Fournier. Assuming Steve Clifford plans on starting Aaron Gordon and Jonathon Isaac, that leaves the shooting guard spot open for Fournier and Ross to fight over.

Ross is a little older than Fournier, but they both could contend for a starting spot on the roster. If Isaac does not start, it would be a fair bet to see Fournier at the 3 and Ross at the 2.

There is a place for Ross to contribute in a major way this season.