Heat Reportedly Hoping to Trade Terry Rozier for 'Just About Anything' Before Season
The Miami Heat are "actively shopping" guard Terry Rozier "for just about anything" as he enters the final year of his contract, per Ethan J. Skolnick of Five Reasons Sports Network.
"So, according to sources for the Five on the Floor podcast (part of the Five Reasons Sports Network), the Heat have been actively shopping the expiring final year of Rozier's contract (worth $24-26 million depending on incentives) for just about anything, but specifically frontcourt help," Skolnick wrote.
The team has "found no takers," per Skolnick.
The 31-year-old Rozier has played 10 NBA seasons with the Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets and Heat.
Last season, Rozier started 23 of 64 games, averaging 10.6 points on 39.1 percent shooting (29.5 percent from three). He also averaged 3.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists in his 25.9 minutes per game.
This was obviously a tough year for Rozier, who had notably averaged 23.2 points on 45.9 percent shooting and 6.6 assists for the Charlotte Hornets in 30 games during the 2023-24 season.
In January 2024, the Hornets traded Rozier to Miami for Kyle Lowry and a 2027 first-round draft pick. Rozier posted 16.4 points on 42.3 percent shooting and 4.6 assists for the Heat for the remainder of the 2023-24 season.
However, Rozier's campaign ended abruptly with a neck injury suffered in March 2024. Twelve months afterward, Rozier spoke about the difficulties he's endured, per Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald.
“I’m not really a guy who tries to backtrack on a lot of things,” Rozier said. “I just try to move forward and see where life can take me. But obviously, I don’t think anybody wants to go through something like that. To have a neck injury and then have to miss the playoffs, which is one of the main reasons that you came to this organization. Then you have to reset all over again, sit out and not do things that are part of your typical summer. You got to work on just trying to get strength in your neck and you can’t touch the court. So it’s a little different. But I just still appreciate everything. I’m still playing, I’m healthy.”
Last season, Rozier was moved out of the starting lineup and then rotation, to the point where he was benched for entire games due to coaches' decisions. Rozier also did not play in the postseason.
Skolnick provided more commentary on Rozier's situation.
"The Heat coaches had no issue with Rozier's work ethic or team commitment, but no one seems to be expecting a turnaround. And now there are more issues. The Heat have a very crowded guard room, which leaves little space for Rozier to rehabilitate his value with playing time.
Perhaps a fresh start and a full offseason where he isn't recovering from a serious injury helps Rozier better resemble his old self prior to the 2024-25 campaign. He's clearly capable of better play and was lighting up the scoreboard for Charlotte not too long ago.
Miami hasn't found a suitor thus far, but at this point, it appears a parting of the ways might be best for both sides.
