Toronto Raptors GM: Team unlikely to trade Terrence Ross
Toronto Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri said it is unlikely that the Raptors will trade guard Terrence Ross before Thursday's deadline, Michael Grange of Sportsnet reports.
The 24 year old Ross started the first 40 games of the season but was pulled from the starting lineup last month, prompting speculation that he could be a trade candidate. Ujiri dismissed those rumors to Grange.
• NBA trade deadline rumors and buzz
“I would be shocked if we did something with Terrence,” Ujiri said Tuesday night. “Trust me. I can’t tell you more how I totally don’t think that would happen before Thursday.”
“How many guys on our team can raise up and make a shot with someone in their face, like Terrence? They aren’t many in the league,” said Ujiri. “He’s had lapses on defence but that’s something you grow out of with experience. He is really a two-way player; he has ability to stay in front of guys, he can hit a shot; he’s athletic as hell and he can hit threes. Every team is looking for players like that.
Ross, the No. 8 pick in the 2012 draft, has averaged 10.3 points per game while shooting 36.8 percent from beyond the arc this season for Toronto.
Ross had a 51-point game against the Clippers last season in which he made 10 three pointers. He has reached the 20-point mark four times this season.
The Raptors are the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference with a 36-17 record. Their first game after the All-Star break is on Friday against the first-place Atlanta Hawks.
• Reports: Goran Dragic tells Suns he won't re-sign
- Paul Palladino
