Why the Wizards should trade for Raptors forward Terrence Ross

With the NBA Trade Deadline on the horizon, every team must evaluate their roster and decide whether to make a move or to stand pat. A mid-season trade can make a team into a Championship contender or it can break a team faster than an egg cracked over a skillet.

Tweaking your team’s roster becomes an experiment in chemistry and something as simple as a player’s body language, or mannerisms, can have a negative impact on your squad. Generally, more talent equals more wins. As a General Manager, you must weigh the good with the bad and make the best decision you can.

The Washington Wizards have had a successful 54 games to start the season and they sit in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, with a 33-21 overall record. General Manager Ernie Grunfeld needs to figure out whether this team, as currently constructed, is a Conference Semi-Finalist or not.

The most pressing need seems to be a scorer in the backcourt. The Wizards have recently expressed interest in Denver Nuggets guard Jameer Nelson, as well as Guangdong Tigers guard Will Bynum. John Wall recently spoke to the Washington Post about acquiring some help off of the bench.

“I think somebody, another guy that can create off the bench,” Wall said. “A guy that can create and put the ball on the floor and make plays for others. That’s probably the only thing we’re missing in the second unit. Andre’s [Miller] probably the best player that suits itself for creating and making plays for somebody in the second unit. I think sometimes we just get stagnant.”

I recently wrote why the Wizards should avoid Nelson and I stand by those statements. Nelson will not add anything to the team that would help them take the next step. Not when Andre Miller is a more efficient (and under-utilized) player.

Bynum could be an interesting option if the Wizards are unable to find another one via trade. Last season, he played in 56 games for the Detroit Pistons during which he averaged 8.7 points, 3.9 assists and 1.8 rebounds in 18.8 minutes per-game. Bynum was a useful scoring option on the Pistons reserve unit and he could provide the same for the Wizards if they decide to go that route. Plus, he would command a minimum salary so what would you lose?

Even though I would endorse the signing of Will Bynum, I would also encourage the team to look elsewhere. There is a young, talented swingman that may be available up North.

According to Zach Lowe of Grantland, the Toronto Raptors are exploring trade options for their third-year guard/forward Terrence Ross.

Terrence Ross would be the perfect addition for the Washington Wizards. He is 24 years-old, he can shoot the ball and he has an affordable contract ($2.79 million this season; $3.55 million next season).

He is currently averaging 10.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 25.7 minutes of action per-game. He is also shooting a very respectable 36.8 percent from beyond the arc. He has been used primarily as a reserve throughout his career, but he has started 40 games this season.

He would be the perfect Bradley Beal insurance considering Beal’s leg is more fragile than a pane of glass. With no guarantee that Beal is going to be able to play a full 82-game schedule, why wouldn’t you want a replacement that can shoot from long-range similar to the Beal?

Terrence Ross would be a good option running alongside Wall on the fast break. He is an athletic marvel and I could see him finishing lob passes from the NBA’s assist-per-game leader.

What do the Raptors want in return for the high-flying Ross? Lowe reports that they are interested in gaining help in the frontcourt. The players mentioned were two veteran forwards; David West (Indiana Pacers) and Kevin Garnett (Brooklyn Nets).

A move for West seems short-sighted for the Raptors. He is 34 years-old and averaging his fewest points-per-game (13.1) average since 2011-12, despite being the Pacers first option. He also has a $12 million player-option for next season.

Garnett is on the last leg on his career and he’s limping to the finish line. He was once a great player but he is a shell of himself now.

He is playing out the final year of his contract, but he also has a no-trade clause and it’s unlikely that he would want to spend the final three months of his career in Toronto.

The Wizards, on the other hand, could offer the Raptors a useful player who actually has upside. Kevin Seraphin has an expiring $3.9 million contract and he is exactly what Toronto is looking for. The French Guiana native is currently averaging 7.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 0.7 blocks per-game.

Playing in his fifth campaign, he is also shooting 52.6 percent from the field. He is scoring more than Garnett, with less playing time, while making only a fraction of what West is.

If the Wizards are serious about making a move for help in the backcourt, I would call the Raptors and dangle Kevin Seraphin for Terrence Ross and a filler (Greg Steimsma?). There is no guarantee that Seraphin will be back in DC next season. He is an unrestricted free-agent and he could be moving onto a better situation with more playing time as soon as free agency hits.

It’s not very often that a former lottery pick, who’s been productive, is on the trade market after only two seasons. Terrence Ross would be the perfect addition for the Washington Wizards.