Heat's Terry Rozier gets crazy ranking among NBA's starting point guards

After being acquired from the Charlotte Hornets prior to this year’s NBA trade deadline, Terry Rozier’s half-season stint with the Miami Heat didn’t go as planned.

It took some time to work Rozier into the Heat’s system, and when he finally got into a groove, he ultimately suffered a season-ending neck injury. He missed the last four regular season games along with two play-in and five postseason games. 

After getting traded and suffering a season-ending injury last season, Terry Rozier could use a bounce-back season for the Miami Heat to prove he isn't the league's second-worst starting point guard.

Rozier was acquired in exchange for the declining Kyle Lowry and a first round draft pick. The deal provided a breath of relief and optimism for a Heat squad in desperate need of a scoring jolt. It was the first trade in bringing in a new player since 2021 with Victor Oladipo. 

Recently, HoopsHype published an article ranking all the league’s starting point guards heading into the 2024-25 season. Surprisingly, Rozier was ranked 28th out of 30.

They are essentially noting that he is the second-worst starting point guard in the NBA, with players like Immanuel Quickley and D'Angelo Russell ahead of him. Even worse, Jalen Suggs, Josh Giddey and an aging Mike Conley were also ahead of him. All averaged around just 12 points. 

Rozier finished last season averaging 19.8 points, 5.6 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals on 44.3% shooting and 36.3% from 3-point range in 61 games with the Hornets and Heat. 

The change in scenery, system and role going from Charlotte to Miami impacted Rozier’s performance. He initially took quite a dip in his individual statistics but finally got comfortable during a five-game stretch later in the year where he averaged nearly 30 points on efficient shooting and clutch buckets. 

Before he arrived in South Beach, Rozier was averaging a career-high 23.2 points and 6.6 assists on 45.9% shooting. With the early season injury to LaMelo Ball at point guard for the Hornets, Rozier found himself playing as the no. 1 option. Playing next to established scorers like Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro slid him to a third/fourth option offensively.

The vision of Rozier providing a difference as another scorer and playmaker was certainly there until the injury cut his season short. He still played more and better statistically than a guy like Marcus Smart, who was hurt for most of the season and ranked above Rozier in this article, too.

All in all, it just doesn’t make logical sense to have a scorer of Rozier’s caliber be so low on this list, regardless of injuries.

Questionable rankings from media outlets should do nothing but motivate “Scary Terry” to prove why he was brought to Miami. A full training camp and healthy season while being more implemented into the Heat’s system may give optimism for his ability to help the offense moving forward.