The most important Orlando Magic players in 2022: 3. Terrence Ros
What better place to start than the fan-favorite, the ever-dependable veteran, Terrence Ross. The most ideal trade candidate on the roster, he is important because, depending on what happens with him, it will signal what direction the organization is leaning as this rebuild progresses.
It would make complete sense to trade Ross now for two reasons. From the point of view of the Magic, he has real value and could be moved for an intriguing young player. If another team gets desperate for outside shooting that can heat up off the bench in a hurry, they might even be able to snag a first-round pick.
For Ross, it would be a chance to (hopefully) go to a contender to play meaningful playoff games at this stage in his career. Still only 30, he has put the time in with the Magic to help the previous core aim for the postseason. The franchise did right by Vucevic in trading him to a Chicago Bulls, and that is positively rolling right now.
Surely the right deal exists out there to get Ross to a situation where he can help a fringe contender, while also netting them something of substance back, right?
The intriguing piece here though is what happens if we reach the end of 2022 and Ross is still on the team. It might seem a stretch, but he’s lasted longer than many thought he would in Orlando already.
But Ross is a veteran who not only seems to take that role seriously in the locker room but actually gives the Magic plenty on the court as well. You don’t just give up on that, for fear that the youngsters in the group start to get led astray.
If Ross is still here by year’s end, it is because the Magic value his off-the-court impact as much as his impact on the court, and that he can lead this young core for a few more years.