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The 3 Orlando Magic players most likely to be traded by the deadline

By Luke Duffy

The Orlando Magic's slow start revealed some fundamental flaws in the roster that will need fixing down the road. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
The Orlando Magic's slow start revealed some fundamental flaws in the roster that will need fixing down the road. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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Terrence Ross of the Orlando Magic goes in for a layup against the Golden State Warriors (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

3 Orlando Magic player most likely to get traded at the deadline

2. Terrence Ross

It feels like Terrence Ross and Gary Harris are intertwined because they have similar skillsets, but we may be about to hit the point where their paths diverge.

Recently we argued here that the Magic should not part with Ross too quickly, because of the veteran presence he has.

That did not go down well with sections of the fanbase, who felt that the importance of Ross as the locker-room leader is overblown. If that is the case, and with the player on an expiring contract, then the time has come for him to leave Orlando.

He currently averages the ninth most minutes per game on the team at 22.5, and is slipping down the rotation. Jonathan Isaac’s return does not put him in direct competition with Terrence Ross for minutes, and yet that playing time has to come from somewhere. Ross is the one who sat out so Isaac could play in Monday’s win over the Boston Celtics.

Moe Wagner (22.4 minutes), the injured Chuma Okeke (21.8) and Isaac (currently 10 minutes) all trail Ross in playing time. Yet we will soon hit a point where all three should and probably will overtake Ross in minutes. And that does not even get into Caleb Houstan who is on a G-League assignment so he can get some playing time and stay sharp.

Getting ahead of this and moving him now while there is some interest makes sense for the organization. The credit of Ross, he has never complained about his situation, and inability to be part of a rebuild while in his prime years.

But with the Magic likely to lose him in the summer for nothing anyway, they should see what they can get in return now.

Evan Fournier netted them a pair of second rounders in a similar situation before. Guys like Cam Reddish are out there ready to be taken. It makes complete sense to move Ross before the deadline.