The Orlando Magic aren’t going to be making a push for the NBA postseason this year, as they currently have the worst record in the league at 9-39. They are the last remaining team without double-digit victories this season as the early stages of their rebuild have plenty of growing pains.
Despite the record, the Magic are one team that people will have their eyes on leading up to the NBA trade deadline in just over two weeks. They could help shift the playoff picture as they have some veterans that they will make available in a trade.
One of those veterans is wing player Terrence Ross. Ross has struggled with his jumper this season, making a career-low 31 percent of his 3-point attempts. But, he is still averaging 11.7 points per game thanks to his 2-point shooting percentage, which is the second-highest of his career at 48.6 percent. His 86.7 percent from the foul line is also strong, so there is hope that he can turn it around from the 3-point line.
The off-season from behind the arc won’t deter teams from inquiring about trading for him. Ross has a lengthy track record of being a top-tier sixth man and despite the shooting woes, is still scoring the ball well.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: This Lakers-Magic Trade Involves Terrence Ross To L.A.
In addition to the scoring, Ross has become more of a facilitator in recent seasons. After averaging a career-high 2.3 assists last season, he is averaging 2.1 as he continues to round out his offensive game. His advanced assist stats are almost identical to where they were last season.
While he is known for his offense, Ross stands 6’6”, possessing the excellent size and physical tools at the shooting guard position. He can help a team out with his length defensively, which is what makes him such an attractive trade target for contending teams.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: This Lakers-Magic Trade Involves Terrence Ross To L.A.
According to Marc Stein on his Substack, which requires a paid subscription, two teams are viewed as natural suitors for Ross; the Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz.
Some teams regard Ross as a natural target for the Los Angeles Lakers or the Utah Jazz — both known to be seeking a defensive-minded wing player but possessing limited trade assets to make an impact trade in the next 17 days.
The Los Angeles Lakers need all of the help they can get. Adding more shooting and rounding out their rotation is the goal ahead of the trade deadline, but their assets are limited in achieving that. Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn and a future first-round pick are about the best they can do.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: This Lakers-Magic Trade Involves Terrence Ross To L.A.
As for Utah, their interest in Ross is a bit peculiar. They are searching for a defensive-minded wing player to insert into their starting lineup, which doesn’t exactly fit the description of Ross. With Jordan Clarkson already locked in as the sixth man off the bench, acquiring Ross may seem a little redundant.
The Utah Jazz is trying to package Joe Ingles’s expiring deal with a future first-round pick and seeing what they can get. There are plenty of rebuilding teams that would be interested in a package such as that, as they can add more draft capital and clear some money off their books in the process.
