One of the biggest disappointments for the Raptors last season, Ross' game seemed to regress across the board to the point that the third-year player was considered a likely candidate to get dealt heading into the draft, and he averaged 26 minutes, 9.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 0.6 steals, 0.3 blocks, and 1.8 three-pointers in 82 games while shooting 41 percent from the floor, 37 percent from three-point range, and 79 percent from the free-throw line. An athletic wing who seems to have all the tools to at least be an effective 3-and-D player, he instead loses focus too often on the defensive end and seems unwilling to assert himself on offense, either in attacking the rim or as a shooter. With DeMarre Carroll signed to be the new starting small forward and Greivis Vasquez and Lou Williams in other uniforms though, Ross now looks to be one of the primary scoring threats off the bench as opposed to the forgotten man in the starting lineup, a role he could be more comfortable with. Memories of his 51-point night against the Clippers two Januarys ago are still fresh enough that Ross will get one more chance to prove himself in Toronto, but time is running out.

When Rudy Gay was dealt to Sacramento early last season, second-year wing Terrence Ross inherited the starting small forward spot and found some success, including a 51-point explosion against the Clippers in late January. Ross' overall numbers in 62 starts were solid for a player without a key role in the offense, as he averaged 12.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 three-pointers, 1.1 assists, and 0.9 steals in 29 minutes per game, with shooting percentages of 43 percent from the field, 85 percent from the free-throw line, and 40 percent from beyond the arc. Even more will be expected from Ross this time around. He's got the elite athleticism and hops to be a force at both ends of the court, and with DeMar DeRozan's frequent visits to the free-throw line as a model, Ross should be able to start finding ways to attack the basket on a more consistent basis. The re-acquisition of James Johnson in the offseason could provide a threat to Ross' minutes, as Johnson offers a little more length on defense from the small forward spot, but barring a training camp disaster, Ross' starting spot at the three should be secure.

Ross' rookie season was predictably inconsistent, but his retro Vinsanity slam dunk contest win brought him plenty of attention anyway. He's a fantastic athlete with great hops and some feel for shooting from long range, but with Rudy Gay and DeMar DeRozan in firm control of the starting wing spots, Ross will remain a bench player for the foreseeable future. That role might be the best thing for his development though, and another year or two as a defense and sharpshooting specialist should allow him to hone his skill set and be ready to blossom once a starting spot opens up for him.

In a somewhat surprising move, the Raptors drafted the raw but talented Ross with the eighth overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. Ross entered the draft after his sophomore season at the University of Washington, where he averaged 16.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game for the Huskies. Coming out of Washington, Ross was lauded for his defense, long-range shooting ability, and court vision, all traits that should endear him well to the Raptors coaching staff. How quickly those skills will translate to the next level remains the question for Ross, however. With DeMar DeRozan the incumbent starter at shooting guard and free agent signing Landry Fields likely inserted at the other wing position to start the season, Ross might have to settle for a bench role from the outset. On a positive note, Ross showed some definite promise in five summer league games, averaging 14.4 points and 3.6 rebounds in 27.2 minutes per game. Ross may struggle initially as he gains familiarity with the increased speed of the NBA, but as a building block for the team’s future, the Raptors will in all likelihood give him a trial run in the starting lineup at some point during the season.