ORLANDO, FLA- As reported by ESPN’s Adrain Wojnarowski, the Orlando Magic have officially bought out veteran Terrence Ross’ contract, and Ross now plans to sign with the Phoenix Suns as an unrestricted free agent. Originally, Ross was linked to signing with Dallas, but was intrigued with the possibility of playing with future hall-of-famers Kevin Durant and Chris Paul in Phoenix.
For those who don’t know, a buyout occurs when a player and team mutually decide to part ways. To do so, the player surrenders an agreed-upon amount of his guaranteed salary, and in exchange, is released and allowed to sign with any other team as a free agent. If a team buys a player out, he can’t re-sign with or be claimed off of waivers by that team for one year or until the end of the contract that was bought out, whichever comes later.
With Ross having his contract bought out by the Magic, it seems certain that Ross’ tenure in Orlando is over. Following a five-year stint with Toronto (2012-2017), Ross was part of a trade package that was sent to Orlando in exchange for Serge Ibaka. From there, Ross spent the next seven seasons in Orlando (2017-2023), serving as the Magic’s primary bench scorer. In 349 games (55 starts) with Orlando, Ross averaged 26.1 MPG, 12.7 PPG, 3.0 RPG, and 1.7 APG while shooting 41.4% from the field, 35.1% from three-point range, and 85.4% from the free-throw line.
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At 32 years old, Ross was expected to initially part ways with Orlando during the 2020 NBA trade deadline, when the Magic traded franchise cornerstones Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon, and Evan Fournier. As it turns out, Ross would remain in Orlando, and quickly slide down in the depth chart. In 42 games (nine starts) this season, Ross averaged 22.5 MPG, 8.0 PPG, 2.0 RPG, and 1.3 APG, all lows as a part of the Magic.
“We’re definitely in different spots,” Ross said regarding the 2020 trade deadline. “I feel like I’m a part of that old regime, and they’re going in a different direction. I don’t know what they’ve got in store for me. It’s hard to say. They don’t really let me know too much about what they’re doing. I’m kind of here just along for the ride.”
Now in Phoenix, Ross will likely serve as a key bench scorer and sparkplug for the Suns, who sacrificed a tremendous amount of depth in trading for Durant. For reference, Phoenix traded defensive star Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four unprotected first-round picks (2023, 2025, 2027, and 2029), and a pick swap (2028) for Durant and TJ Warren.
With Durant in the fold, Pheonix’s starting lineup is extremely intimidating, consisting of Paul, Devin Booker, TJ Warren, Durant, and Deandre Ayton. In addition to Ross, Phoenix will also give Cameron Payne, Landry Shamet, Torrey Craig, and Bismack Biyombo considerable playing time off the bench, as the Suns make an all-out attempt for their first NBA championship in team history.
After Suns owner Mat Ishbia and coach Monty Willams joined the pursuit, G Terrence Ross plans to sign with the Phoenix Suns, sources tell ESPN. Ross, finalizing a contract buyout with the Magic, brings his 38% 3-point shooting to Suns' title pursuit. pic.twitter.com/AKTjsrT0dP
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 12, 2023