Asking price for Terrence Ross should rule out Raptors reunion

The Toronto Raptors may need to look at some of the poorer teams in the NBA for reinforcements, as they are still in possession of the worst bench in the league. On paper, bringing back Orlando Magic swingman and former Raptors lottery selection Terrence Ross might not sound like the worst idea in the world.

After five mostly disappointing seasons in Toronto, Ross was shipped down to Florida to bring Serge Ibaka up north. In parts of six seasons with the Magic, Ross has played better basketball, averaging 13.9 points per game while continuing to remain a weapon from beyond the arc.

With the Magic moving forward with a backcourt centered around Cole Anthony and Jalen Suggs, Ross could be on the move before the trade deadline to a team in need of some bench scoring. However, considering the exorbitant asking price Orlando is commanding, this option is better left alone.

Shams Charania of The Athletic is reporting that the Magic are willing to move Ross for draft capital, but they are eyeing a first-round pick in exchange for him. While he would make a difference on this Raptors’ bench, giving up that sort of draft capital for a talent of his caliber should rule out any potential acquisition.

The Raptors shouldn’t go after Magic guard Terrence Ross.

Ross is averaging 10.8 points per game this season. That number might look fine, but it looks much less impressive when you realize that he is making just 39% of his shots overall and 30% of his 3-point attempts. Yuta Watanabe isn’t considering an overly dynamic scorer just yet, but he’s making 3-pointers at a better clip than Ross.

Ross would bring some high-flying dunks and respectable microwave scoring when he gets in a groove, but asking for a first-round pick for a player who will be 31 at the trade deadline and is currently in the middle of one of the worst seasons he has had in years is a very bold decision by Orlando.

There will be plenty of candidates that can give the Raptors a boost on offense, but Ross at his current asking price is just unreasonable. Some younger players offer a much higher ceiling on both ends, while some older players will be much less expensive for Masai Ujiri and a retooling front office.

Assuming that the Magic eventually realizes the error of their ways and reduces their asking price to some second-round picks, Ross might come within reach.