Orlando Magic: NBA trade deadline winners and losers

Orland Magic NBA trade deadline loser: Terrence Ross

It is hard not to feel sorry for Terrence Ross. One minute he is part of a group that looks like it can push higher up the Eastern Conference rankings when fully healthy. The next he is one of the few true veterans left on a team that is now trying to lose as many games as possible in preparation for a brighter future.

A brighter future that Ross won’t likely be a part of, as by the time the Magic are really good again (assuming that happens), Ross is more than likely going to be elsewhere. Such is the cruel nature of basketball. Even worse, Ross was probably the easiest guy the Magic could have moved at the deadline as well.

He does not make a ton of money, is used to coming off the bench and is a sniper from 3-point range. In other words, he ticks so many boxes for contenders. At this stage of his career he’s like a better J.J. Redick, or a discount version of Seth Curry. When you consider those guys are going to be part of playoff runs this season and beyond, Ross must feel hard done by.

At 30-years-old, he is bang in his prime and should be playing in more meaningful basketball games. As we have seen with Gordon and Fournier already as they have had much said about them since being traded, it is hard to get recognized when playing for the Magic. Even more so when the team is losing and you are not a young and exciting player.

The good news for Ross is that he will always be easily moved, given his style of play and his contract, which decreases over time. But it won’t be this year, and for the next three or so years in Florida, the Orlando Magic aren’t going to be among the most elite teams in the league. Which leaves Ross stuck on a sinking ship while the other veterans got off to play elsewhere.