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3 trade scenarios for Terrence Ross at the trade deadline

By Coby Leibowitz

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 09: (L-R) Wendell Carter Jr. #34, Caleb Houstan #2, Terrence Ross #31, and Franz Wagner #22 of the Orlando Magic talk after a foul in the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at Amway Center on November 09, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. 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. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 09: (L-R) Wendell Carter Jr. #34, Caleb Houstan #2, Terrence Ross #31, and Franz Wagner #22 of the Orlando Magic talk after a foul in the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at Amway Center on November 09, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. 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. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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With the NBA’s trade deadline approaching, fans are waiting to see who their favorite team may end up acquiring or trading away.

The Orlando Magic could be active with several players that could entice teams looking for that key veteran to make a postseason push. Or that young player they are eager to develop.

This deadline in particular has the potential to be a big one for the Magic going forward. Orlando is currently the 13th seed in the Eastern Conference. But the team feels competitive enough to be fighting for a play-in spot.

They are only four games back of the 10th seed with less than half of the season to go.

The Orlando Magic will face some big decisions at the deadline as they look to shape their roster for the future. None bigger than for veteran guard Terrence Ross who should be in some demand at the deadline.

Regardless of whether the Magic decide to add another young player or chase after a veteran to solidify their team, one thing appears evident: Terrence Ross may well be on his way out of Orlando.

Ross, who is 31 years old, is getting the ninth-most minutes per game on the team entering Wednesday’s game. And his role is seemingly fading every game. He sat out Monday’s win over the Boston Celtics to make way for Jonathan Isaac’s return and did not play again in Wednesday’s game against the Indiana Pacers.

He has struggled some with his shot (his 9.5 points per game are the fewest he has had since his rookie year, but he is shooting a more solid 38.1 percent from beyond the arc), but he still has a ton of gravity with the respect and reputation he has gained as a shooter.

Ross is also making $11.5 million and is on an expiring contract. He seems unlikely to re-sign with a young Magic team beyond this season and would most likely land on a contending team.

So instead of barely playing him — his 22.5 minutes per game are the fewest since his rookie year too — and then losing him for nothing in free agency after the season, it would make the most sense to trade him now and get something in return.

Related Story. Three Magic players most likely to be traded by the deadline. light

Despite what some fans may think of Ross’ performances, he is still a capable NBA player who could help a ton of teams.

The goal though for the Magic is not simply to dump Ross on whoever will take him. They need to get value and something that will help them build for their future — whether that is a player or future draft consideration.

Losing Ross would undoubtedly cut into the team’s shooting and ability to space the floor. Replacing that would be imperative in any trade — even if the plan is ultimately banking on Caleb Houstan to step in as a shooter.

Here are three possible trades for Ross, and what the Magic should be thinking about in return.