The 2022 NBA trade deadline is quickly approaching, and rumors are swirling.
The Orlando Magic have been at the center of many with Gary Harris and Terrence Ross reportedly being shopped around the league and the team in rebuild mode willing to sell off veterans to get some asset in return for them.
While it is far from certain who the Magic will deal or what they will get, it seems inevitable that they will make a move at the trade deadline. They have their massive trade exception that might help them net some assets. But both Harris and his expiring contract and Ross and his one year remaining on his contract are ripe to be dealt.
Orlando still has its rebuild to think about. The team is extremely young and leaning heavily on young players. The Magic will need veterans to foster growth this year and beyond. That will make their decisions at the trade deadline tougher.
Both Harris and Ross are familiar with the team and its players and seemingly bought in to what the Magic are trying to build. They have been good veterans. The business realities are going to come calling for both.
Orlando is going to make a move.
But the Magic should keep one of their two veterans to keep leadership in the locker room moving forward. They cannot simply trade these players to trade them and they need to keep this roster balance in mind.
The Orlando Magic are expected to be active at the trade deadline this month with two veterans likely becoming hot items on the market. But the Magic need to retain at least one of these key veterans to keep their young group growing.
While it is likely one of the Magic’s veterans is moved, it is unlikely the Magic move both wings. The Magic still want to have a veteran presence in their locker room, and both players provide leadership. The question is which of the two players is traded at the deadline.
The Magic have to look at both players in-depth to decide which of the two players is the better candidate to retain moving forward. Both Ross and Harris are going to be valuable players to teams in the midst of their playoff pushes.
This season has not been one of Ross’ best, but everyone knows what he is capable of.
Ross has averaged 11.6 points per game on poor efficiency of 40.5-percent from the field and 30.5-percent from three. But Ross has still shown that he can carry an offense in stretches. In the 102-100 loss to the Washington Wizards, Ross scored 32 points, including 20 straight points for Orlando.
There is also an argument Ross has struggled because of the injuries around him. Defenses have made Ross the focal point and made it harder for him to operate. In a new situation, and with more space, Ross should be able to return to what he has done during the majority of his time in Orlando.
On the other hand, Harris has played extremely well as of late after having a rough start to the season. On the season, Harris has averaged 11.6 points per game on 44.1-percent from the field and 36-percent from beyond the arc.
While Harris has been more consistent, he has not shown the ability to carry an offense through stretches.
While both players have the same defensive box plus/minus of -1.2, the eye test will likely tell you Harris is the better on-ball defender while Ross is better in disrupting the passing lanes.
Both players have had their ups and downs throughout the season, but the decision comes down to the Magic. Considering their ages and contract length is also important to acknowledge.
Ross is in his prime and is slated to be a free agent in 2023 at the age of 32. This is likely the highest his value will be as he gets older the value will decrease.
Harris is slated to be a free agent this offseason but is only 28 years old. Harris is either entering or is early in his prime and is closer timeline-wise to the Magic’s core. The Magic and Harris have likely discussed options to resign during the offseason and the fit to stay in Orlando long term.
With Ross’ contract being easier to move and providing the skill to carry an offense through stretches of a game, Ross is likely the player to be traded at the deadline. Ross will net more at the deadline too because he has that extra year on his deal, giving the acquiring team another full season with him in the fold.
Harris’ expiring deal will yield less oof a return because of the danger of him leaving in free agency. And while the Magic keeping him would also mean the team run sthe risk of getting him for nothing, the time they do get with him should still help.
There is the thought too Orlando might try to retain Harris in free agency. This has mostly come from fans who appreciate what Harris has given to the team.
It is true, Harris better fits the timeline of the young core. Combined with the experience of competing at a high level after a rebuild with the Denver Nuggets, he has proven to be a solid example for everyone on the roster.
It is unclear what Harris wants. But he surely wants to be in a winning situation too. That puts the Magic in a very difficult position when they assess his trade market.
Harris will also be significantly more difficult to move because of his nearly $20.5-million salary. Cap room is not something teams are seeking this offseason. And the Magic would have to find something worth taking on in a trade at that amount.
The Magic will continue to monitor the market as the deadline approaches. Orlando will take the best deal that becomes available to them while still keeping a mix of young players and veterans on the roster.
In order to keep that mix, the Magic are going to have to keep one of their veteran wings to help grow their young players.
In the end, there is no telling what route the Magic will take. Whether Ross or Harris gets traded or both players remain on the roster, the Magic will keep a veteran presence on the roster in some form — possibly even with a player they acquire who could become a part of the puzzle beyond this season.
But the likelihood is that one of their veteran wings will be moved. It is unlikely, though, the Magic move both vets at the deadline. Nor should they.
The Magic will take the best deal that is offered, and as the deadline quickly approaches, there will be a shake-up of the roster.