The Miami Heat have a Terry Rozier problem. In a perfect world, they already would've traded the 31-year-old this offseason, but this isn't a perfect world, or else the Heat would've added two championships from the past five years to their trophy case. Back to Terry.
On Thursday, NBA insider Jake Fischer reiterated that Miami is still trying to trade Rozier, but there is "scant interest" in the guard (subscription required). Fischer added that the Heat have "some interest" in buying out the remainder of Rozer's contract, but that "no buyout seems imminent."
He'll make $26.6 million this season, the final on the four-year contract he signed with the Hornets in 2021. With teams doing everything they can to avoid the harsh penalties of the CBA, there is reason why Miami is thinking about a buyout. If a trade happened, it'd be a close to a miracle.
Rozier averaged 10.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game in his first full season in Miami, shooting 39.1% from the field, 29.5% from three, and 85.2% from the free-throw line. He played 64 games, starting 23 of them. Rozier's field goal percentage was the lowest it's been since the 2018-19 season, and his three-point percentage was the lowest since his rookie season, 2015-16.
Between his performance last season and the gambling investigation, it's not hard to understand why it's been difficult for the Heat to trade him.
Heat want to trade Terry Rozier, but can't find a suitor
Miami traded for Rozier at the beginning of 2024, a decision the front office desperately wishes it could undo. The Heat sent Kyle Lowry and a top-14 protected 2027 first-round pick to the Hornets, and if that pick doesn't convey in 2027, it'll become unprotected in 2028. So, yeah, it can get worse.
Rozier was playing well before the trade, as he averaged 23.2 points, 6.6 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game in 30 contests for Charlotte, shooting 45.9% from the field and 35.8% from three. It wasn't entirely surprising that Miami traded for him, but giving up that first-round pick was a head-scratcher.
If the Heat can't pull off a magic trick and trade Rozier, he'll be the fourth-highest paid player on the roster, behind Adebayo, Herro, and Wiggins. That's a lot of money for someone who ended the season out of the rotation.
Miami is facing the consequences of its actions, that's for sure.