Orlando Magic Trade Value Column 2021: Time for the reset

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Terrence Ross found his shooting stroke as the Orlando Magic zoomed forward offensively after the All-Star Break. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /

5. Terrence Ros (3 years, $37.5 million)

Last Year: 7

Terrence Ross is a special player.

The Orlando Magic’s super sixth man has the ability to catch fire and score seemingly at will. When he gets hot, he can change games. And his ability to hit shots against tight defense makes him even more valuable. When the Magic are at their best, it is typically because Ross has had a tremendous game.

Those games have been fewer this year. But that may not be completely Ross’ fault. A lot of those issues are simply because he has been in bench lineups depleted by injuries. After two seasons of “The Human Torch” destroying the league in this role, teams have put Ross at the top of their scouting reports. They are doubling him off screens and doing everything they can to make sure he does not break free.

Despite the lower efficiency — 49.6-percent effective field goal percentage — he is averaging a career-best 16.0 points per game.

Ross is on such an affordable deal that the length of his deal does not really matter. He would instantly make any team better with that shooting ability.

That is one of the reasons why Ross will have a market any time the Magic want to make him available. There have been a few teams to inquire about him.

But without the deadline pressure to make a deal and the Magic’s desperate need for shooting and depth, a deal at this point feels unlikely. Orlando will not say no though if a deal comes around that blows them away.

A lot of what the Magic are trying to do at this year’s trade deadline is to set up their future. They want to be back in the playoff conversation next year. And the Magic cannot afford to deal shooters. He is significantly more valuable to the Magic than he might be elsewhere or what he can return.

But undoubtedly, Ross has a lot of value.

If the Magic move Aaron Gordon at this deadline, expect Terrence Ross to be the next hot name the Magic have on their roster they might move — unless they plan to do the big one in dealing Nikola Vucevic.