The Miami Heat seem awfully confident in their ability to trade Terry Rozier ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline, and that prospect should certainly excite fans.
By officially guaranteeing the remainder of Rozier's contract, it's a clear sign that the Heat believes they can move him in a deal before next month's NBA Trade Deadline. At the very least, the door is slightly open so that the front office could perhaps pull off the unthinkable.
But that could be easier said than done.
The Heat may need Terry Rozier's expiring contract at the deadline
In fact, I'd imagine what's really at play here is less so that the Heat believes they can trade Rozier as a primary piece of a swap and more so that they want to keep the option of using his salary in a bigger deal down the line.
Whether or not that bigger deal will come to fruition between now and the trade deadline remains to be seen, but it's smart for the Heat to keep that possibility available to them. After all, it's not like the Heat is going to use that roster spot anyway if they were to waive Rozier.
Keeping him on the roster with the off-chance that they could include him in a trade down the line always made the most sense.
Even though Rozier has probably played his final game in a Heat uniform, there's reason to believe that his expiring $26 million salary could be useful at the deadline, especially for a team that could have its sights set on a big move.
Why Terry Rozier could play a key role for the Heat at the trade deadline
If, for one reason or another, Giannis Antetokounmpo were to hit the trade block at the deadline, Rozier's contract is one option the Heat will have to use as a salary filler in a potential offer. Without Rozier's contract on their books, the path to Giannis would become that much more complicated.
But that's just one reason why it may be worthwhile for the Heat to keep Rozier's contract on their books.
Considering how much of a mess this entire Rozier situation has evolved into for the Heat, I'm sure it will feel good to officially close the door on the past couple of seasons. Whether that's via trade or when his contract expires after this season, it does seem the Heat is finally inching closer to that.
But if that does end up happening before the trade deadline, it would be a huge win for the front office.