Q: There is no question that the trade for Terry Rozier was a disaster for the Heat, but could it be possible to salvage something if the Heat is realistic? Obviously Rozier has no trade value except as salary filler, but could he provide some value as a player, since trading him is almost impossible? Even on a horrible team, someone has to score, get rebounds and assists. If you are the best of a poor bunch, your stats will be better than your talent, which, in my humble opinion, explains Terry Rozier. That being said, I believe he has value, even if it is nowhere near the amount of his contract. Could a fresh start next year at least give the Heat a Terry Rozier that helps the team, not be the liability he was this year? – Howard.
A: Much of that will be dependent on the composition of the 2025-26 Heat roster. For example, you certainly can’t play Terry Rozier, coming off last season, ahead of Tyler Herro or, if he returns, Davion Mitchell. So would you play him ahead of prospects such as Pelle Larsson, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic, or even a wing selected in the draft? In fact, by the end of last season, a case could have been made for playing Josh Christopher ahead of Terry. Now, if you are approaching 2025-26 as a gap year, in order to maximize your 2026 first-round pick (before potentially losing your 2027 lottery-protected pick to the Hornets), that’s a different story. But the Heat way has long been about earning your way back in. Perhaps a solid preseason could change some thinking.
Q: Hey Ira, with the Heat owing about $45 million to Duncan Robinson and Terry Rozier for next season, it seems that at least one of these contracts has to be moved. This is complicated by the increase expected to keep Davion Mitchell. There’s no way all three of these players should be paid next season by the Heat. My expectation is taking advantage of the favorable terms of Duncan’s contract to move him, either to keep Mitchell or as part of a big deal for a solid starter. – David, Venice.
A: As stated above, moving off Terry Rozier’s money, other than as trade filler, would appear highly unlikely without first featuring him in a role that would afford a return to previously perceived value. But I’m also not sold that Terry or Duncan Robinson will be the drivers when it comes to Davion Mitchell’s free agency. Ultimately, the Heat will have to decide on a proper value for Davion and then hold the line, whether he accepts or otherwise. As for Duncan, even by bypassing the $10 million non-guaranteed portion of his contract, there still would be nearly a $10 million cap hit. So there also has to be patience and prudence in that regard. There always remains something to be said about having tradeable salary available at the midseason NBA trading deadline. Beyond all of that, any significant trade could wind up altering the entire cap table, such as a deal involving Andrew Wiggins. So it’s not just about Terry, Duncan or Davion.
Q: Whose front office has been much better over the last several years? Oklahoma City or Miami? Pretty obvious, isn’t it? Isn’t that why we find ourselves in our current situation? – Bob, Davie.
A: And which front office was better during the Dwyane Wade-Shaquille O’Neal or Big Three eras? It’s all cyclical. Until this season, the Heat had a pair of berths in the NBA Finals over the previous five seasons. The Thunder had none since facing the Heat in the 2012 Finals. When you are losing, your front office, coaching staff, players have to be better. The Heat are fully aware. But it’s not as if this is a franchise that has fallen off a cliff. A season ago – just a season ago – the Heat finished 10 games above .500. Perspective, please.