Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier is on the books for $26.6 million this season. (Mandatory Credit: Megan Briggs via Getty Images)
The end is near for guard Terry Rozier in a Miami Heat uniform.
Well, technically, Rozier hasn’t suited up for the Heat this season after being arrested in late October due to be linked to an illegal gambling proble. Rozier was charged with conspiracy charges on wire fraud and money laundering, where he allegedly played a role in gambling for a game he was involved in March of 2023, when he was with the Charlotte Hornets.
At the time of this publication, the case remains unsettled. He has a court date on March 3.
In January, an arbiter ruled in favor of Rozier earning his full $26.6 million salary. Though Miami was unable to move him ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline. Thus, his salary remains on the books with approximately six weeks left in the season.
However, according to the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson, don’t be suprised if the Heat eventually cut ties with Rozier.
“The Heat will have one more roster spot available whenever it releases Terry Rozier, a move that’s likely by the end of the season,” Jackson wrote. “One reason to wait to make that move: It gives Miami flexibility to add a veteran (replacing Rozier) if it loses two or three players at the same position.”
A lack of attractive buyout candidates could sway Heat in different direction:
Teams have until March 1 — Sunday — in order to buyout their candidates in order for them to retain postseason eligibility.
The Heat don’t currently have an open roster spot. Most recently, they converted rookie wing Myron Gardner — previously on a two-way contract — to a standard contract, inking a three-year deal. While Rozier’s salary would remain on the books after releasing him, freeing up a roster spot to potentially add a player is a low-risk move.
However, Jackson noted that the Heat may be swayed in a different direction if they can’t find a current free agent worth investing in.
“No strong buyout candidate has emerged for the Heat,” Jackson wrote. “Miami does not wish to sign any buyout players that it views as comparable to what the team already has, particularly because it wants to invest heavy minutes in its young players.
“More likely, the Heat could use Rozier’s spot to sign a developmental player to a multi-year contract (with minimal financial guarantees) late in the season.”
Among the free agents available to Miami are Trey Lyles, Taj Gibson, Tristan Thompson and Vlatko Cancar.
Every once in a while, you’ll find your Joe Johnson’s of the world. But most buyout players don’t impact a team’s rotation — mostly serving as depth pieces at the end of the bench. Nevertheless, that’s a less-than-desirable market, despite the fact that more names will likely add to that mix over the next few days.
The Heat’s three current two-ways are Jahmir Young, Trevor Keels and Vladislav Goldin. Young, a 6-foot-1 guard, has been one of the G-League’s top scorers this season. Keels and Goldin have also been servicable, but neither should be viewed as candidates for a long-term standard salary at this juncture.
Regardless, it appears the Heat will free themselves of Rozier’s expiring contract sooner rather than later. That’s the most important detail, of course.
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