As a team squarely in the middle of NBA title contention, the Utah Jazz should at least grant consideration to any quality veteran the finds themselves on the trade market. On a related note, Terrence Ross appears to be very much on the trade market. His availability makes sense. The vast majority of the significant players on the Orlando Magic fall south of 25, as the team launched into a wholesale rebuild at last season’s trade deadline.
Their biggest move saw the club trade longtime franchise player Nikola Vucevic to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Wendell Carter Jr., Otto Porter Jr. and two first-round picks. The team also parted ways with Aaron Gordon and Evan Fournier, receiving RJ Hampton, Garry Harris and two second-round picks in separate deals.
All of which creates a perfect storm for the Orlando Magic to trade Terrence Ross. Out of the veterans they currently roster, he’s their strongest candidate to be moved. Gary Harris is on a bloated expiring contract: unless another team covets 2022-23 cap relief badly enough to make Orlando an impressive offer, they’re likely to ride out his pact. Meanwhile, Michael Carter-Williams has struggled to make an impact in the NBA since his 2013-14 Rookie of the Year campaign.
That leaves Terrence Ross as the lone veteran on this Magic roster with substantial trade value. However, NBA trades require at least two partners, so the question remains: should the Utah Jazz be interested in trading for Terrence Ross?
Here’s our case for, and against the Jazz exploring that possibility.