The Miami Heat made a move with an eye toward competing for another Eastern Conference title by trading Kyle Lowry and a future first-round pick to the Charlotte Hornets for guard Terry Rozier.
The deal will send Lowry’s expiring contract and a 2027 first-round pick to Charlotte in exchange for Rozier, who is averaging 23.2 points and 6.6 assists for the Hornets this season. Miami’s pick is lottery-protected in 2027 and, if it does not convey, unprotected in 2028.
The deal was first reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
The Miami Heat swapped point guards with the Charlotte Hornets, acquiring Terry Rozier for Kyle Lowry, in hopes of improving their 20th-ranked offense.
In Rozier, the Heat will add a scoring guard capable of getting to the basket, drawing fouls and creating shots for others. The Heat hope the move will be a boost to their 20th-ranked offense.
Lowry's expiring, $29.7 million contract was used to get the deal done. Rozier's contract is worth $23.2 million this season, $24.9 million next season and $26.6 million for 2025-26 (with $24.9 million guaranteed in the final year). Miami saves about $6 million against the cap this season in the deal.
Lowry’s time in Miami comes to an end after three up-and-down seasons.
Lowry was acquired in a trade from the Raptors in the summer of 2021 and helped the Heat earn the No. 1 seed in the East in his first season. He started last season but lost his job to Gabe Vincent and came off the bench for last postseason’s Finals run.
After Vincent signed with the Lakers last summer, Lowry was reintroduced to the starting lineup. He started his first 35 games before Erik Spoelstra moved him to the bench for Miami’s last two games.
At 37, Lowry’s production has declined. He’s averaging career-low numbers in points (8.2), field-goal attempts (6.5) and assists (4) since becoming a full-time starter in 2010.
Lowry was visibly disappointed about his move to the bench and it became clear over the last week that the Heat needed a change at the position.
Rozier, who grew up a fan of Dwyane Wade’s Heat teams, joins the franchise of his childhood idol. Rozier was at Kaseya Center last week when the Heat honored Wade’s Hall of Fame induction and revealed plans for a statue during halftime of the Hornets game in Miami.
“I think it’s just dope, it came full circle,” Rozier told All U Can Heat after the game. “One of my favorite players to ever play and now playing against his team he was introduced to the Hall Of Fame. So I think it’s just dope coming full circle moment. It’s dope to see it.”