It has been an unfortunate up and down Miami Heat tenure for Terry Rozier. When he was acquired prior to the 2024 NBA trade deadline in exchange for Kyle Lowry’s expiring contract and a first round pick, it seemed like “Scary Terry” could’ve been the missing piece.
His offensive and playmaking abilities provided the Heat with an element from the point guard position that they haven’t had in years. The problem is that Rozier has not looked like that talented scorer that Pat Riley traded assets for. In his 2023-24 stint with the Charlotte Hornets, he put up 23.2 points, 6.6 assists and 3.9 rebounds across 30 games.
Those numbers have gone down considerably since joining Miami. In fact, the 16.4 points he averaged in 31 games for the Heat a season ago was already a decline, until getting even worse this year. The 2024-25 campaign has not treated Rozier well, as he’s now putting up a pedestrian 12.9 points and 3.7 assists— his lowest production in those categories since 2018.
His shooting efficiency is even more painful to look at, as he has shot 38% from the field and 33% from 3-point range. Tyler Herro, who has been playing at an All-Star level, has held his end of the bargain in Miami’s starting backcourt. But the Rozier struggles have impacted the team’s ability to win games.
Would a Rozier move to the bench be a solution?
It is always going to be tough to tell what is at the root of the problem for the Heat point guard. He has dealt with injury issues last season, and just recently missed a game due to minor foot pain, although expected to return soon.
However, it is worth a try to see if splitting up that Herro/Rozier backcourt could help. They have similar offensive games and ball handling skills. It could add some much needed balance to the Heat’s rotation to have Scary Terry headline the team’s second unit.
The starting lineup change that featured Duncan Robinson playing alongside Herro, and Haywood Highsmith being inserted in the frontcourt, looked effective in the last win over the Philadelphia 76ers. It is a unit that features the four longest tenured players of this six-year build and the potential looks enticing. Miami get’s the shooting, playmaking and defensive skills across that group.
Rozier is someone who would embrace any role that could help his team. Having him as the go-to playmaker off the bench could suit his play style well as a Sixth Man.
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Like Jovic, Rozier is putting too much pressure on himself as a starter. On the second unit, he would be free to be more of a combo guard looking to score more and run. Jovic and Jaquez can help relieve some of his ball handling duties on the second team. Dru Smith did well in his extended minutes against 76ers.
Love starting as PF may work in the short run, but Miami still needs to find a more suitable solution next to Bam at either the C or PF position. If that isn’t going to be Ware, Riley needs to find another solution. Trading Ware and/or Duncan may be part of the solution.
Here’s a line-up I would like to see at some point in the near future:
Herro, Jaquez, Butler, Love, Bam (team’s top 5 rebounders)
Rozier, Robinson, Jovic, Highsmith, Ware
Smith, Richardson, Larsson, Johnson, Bryant
I actually meant to say trading Rozier or Duncan, not Ware.
I think a J-Rich, Herro, Butler, Highsmith, Bam starting 5 would be their best bet.
With a bench of Rozier, Robinson, Jaime, Jovic, Ware ..
And for a small ball 2nd unit, Rozier, Alec Burks, Robinson, Jamie, Jovic
I think we have something special with unit of JRich, Dunc, Jovic, Bam and JJJ. I wouldn’t split that.
It seems right now, that Rosiers playing stile doesn’t fit anywhere.
If Rozier moves to the second team (and I think he should, at least temporarily) who would move to the first? Or do you feel Rozier should stay with the starters even though he is struggling? Rozier is definitely not falling lower than 6-8 in the rotation. It’s why I agree that J Rich or Dru would have to move up to starter.
I agree. Send Rozier to second team until he gets his “mojo” back.
What bothers me is that Riley took Ware at #15 and passed up
No. 16: Jared McCain, Philadelphia 76ers 15.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 2.5 apg
No. 17: Dalton Knecht, Los Angeles Lakers 11.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.1 apg
No. 21: Yves Missi, New Orleans Pelicans 6.7 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 1.1 bpg
and others, while Ware is left sitting on the bench.
For God’s sake, play him or send him to Sioux Falls for playing time and experience. He’s not helping anyone sitting on the bench and getting one minute of playing time at the end of blowout games!!!
Reportedly embiid wanted sixers to trade for Jimmy, instead of getting pg. So with an extra pick we probably could of got either McCain or knecht.
True, I feel certain that if Ware was given 20 minutes a game, he would be doing as well as the other three. I feel your frustration. He may be raw, but he fits exactly what this team needs (size/athleticism).
The starting lineup was mostly bad. On the first look because of Butler and Bam, but it seems Jovic and Rosier had also a piece of that.
But the bench is working right now, and Rosier could break that.
I dont think that JRich and Herro can play well together. So I prefer Dru to start. And Rosier coming of the bench as Herro replacement. But I really dont know, with who
That seems like a reasonable starting group.