Five reasons why the Denver Nuggets should pursue Terrence Ross
By Ben Grunert
The Denver Nuggets have a potentially busy offseason ahead of them. With two of their primary offensive options — Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. — set to return from injury, the Nuggets should look to add depth with one option being Terrence Ross.
While the team is in serious need of perimeter defenders, it could also use some offensive firepower in the second unit.
Aside from Bones Hyland‘s late-season breakthrough, the Denver Nuggets struggled to generate much production from their bench players all season long. Throughout the 2021-22 campaign, Denver’s bench collectively shot a disappointing 43.1 percent from the field, good for 24th in the league.
The Nuggets’ offense thrives when back-to-back MVP Nikola Jokic runs the show, but when the second unit plays without its superstar center, the wheels fall off more often than not. Ideally, Denver should aim to sign a reliable bench scorer with a relatively favorable contract.
Enter Terrence Ross.
The veteran swingman recently expressed his interest in being traded according to Khobi Price, The Orlando Sentinel.
Ross acknowledged his lack of fit with both the organization’s timeline and roster:
"“We’re definitely in different spots. 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 so. I’m kind of here just along for the ride.”"
This past season, Terrence Ross’ statistical production regressed from his prior years with the Orlando Magic. He averaged ten points per game on 39.7 percent shooting from the field and 29.2 percent shooting from deep.
However, the 31-year-old faced a difficult set of circumstances last season as the only remaining piece of a veteran core that broke up and dispersed throughout the league at the 2020-21 trade deadline.
Suddenly stuck on one of the league’s youngest squads, Ross saw a significant dip in playing time as the rebuilding Magic used him more as a mentor for their young core than as a scorer. With Ross looking for a change in scenery, Denver would be wise to capitalize on the opportunity to acquire him.
Here are five reasons why the Denver Nuggets should pursue Terrence Ross: