The Miami Heat are in quite a conundrum with guard Terry Rozier, who’s in the final year of his contract.
Rozier has been linked to a federal betting probe for over six months. Oh, and had one of the worst seasons of his career last season, averaging just 10.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game on 39.1 percent shooting and 29.5 percent from 3-point range, the first time he’s shot below 30.0 percent from deep since 2015-16, his rookie season.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, Miami kicked the tires on trading Rozier for Marcus Smart, who was bought out earlier this month by the Washington Wizards.
“One more via Fischer: Sources say Miami has explored the feasibility of trading away veteran guard Terry Rozier this offseason,” the report read. “Jake says Miami weighed a Rozier-for-Smart swap but could not reach an organizational consensus on whether such a trade was a clear upgrade. Smart ultimately secured a buyout from Washington on July 19 that ultimately enabled him to sign with the Lakers as a free agent.”
Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier were both expiring contracts:
According to Spotrac, Rozier is making $24.9 million in 2025-26, while Smart was expected to make $21.6 million before his buyout.
Smart, 31, has dealt with myriad injuries (finger, ankle, shoulder, etc.) over the last two seasons, playing just 54 combined games with the Washington Wizards and Memphis Grizzlies. Over that two-year span, he averaged 11.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.5 steals on 41.1 percent shooting and 33.1 percent from beyond the arc.
He was noticeably worse defensively since getting traded by Boston, and he’s knocked down just 33.6 percent from 3-point range over his last six seasons. I am not sure it would have been a clear upgrade, either, but I think there’s a world where it would have been an “upgrade,” hypothetically.
Alas, the time has passed.
Attaching assets to Rozier at this point is a lost cause, but a team likely won’t be incentivized to take on his contract without them. The Heat don’t own any of their second-round picks through 2031. Thus, a conundrum … let it expire!
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clase under gambling investigation
The luxury tax threshold is $187.9 million. The first apron is $195.9M and the second apron is $207.8M. Miami’s current Payroll is $187.6M (0.3M below the luxury tax threshold).
Trade Rozier ($26.6M) plus a second round pick for DeRozan ($24.6M) saving $2.0M. Sign Goldin to a rookie contract ($1.2M) remaining $1.1M below the luxury tax threshold.
STARTERS
Herro ($31M), Powell ($20.5M), Wiggins ($28.2M), Bam ($37.1M), Ware ($4.4M)
SECOND UNIT
Mitchell ($11.6M), DeRozan ($24.6M), Jovic ($4.5M), Fontecchio ($8.3M), Goldin ($1.2M*)
RESERVES
Smith ($1.2M*), Larsson ($2.0M), Jaquez ($3.9M), Highsmith ($5.6M), Johnson ($2.0M)
* Rookie Minimum
that team could win the east
It would give us the closer we need. DeRozan is older, losing a little bit from his prime, but still plenty good, better than Rozier. But, maybe it will be hard to find a Rozier trading partner. Maybe a second round pick would not be enough.
Miami may also want to look into a trade for Josh Giddey (who is a restricted free agent). Chicago has offered Giddey $20 million per year and he wants $30M. Rozier plus a pick might do it. 4 years/$120M sounds pretty good in today’s market for a starting PG. That could free up Herro for a trade. Packaged with Wiggins and a pick, they may be enough for a ss, such as Lebron or Giannis.
Part of me thinks there is no way the Bulls trade Giddey to us for Rozier and a pick. But then again, the Bulls are going nowhere this season. I like his play, but I’m not sure he’s worth the money he wants at this point in his career. I also think the Heat are holding on to picks in case a whale sighting occurs.
based on his play last year and his investigation why would any team want terry unless hes on an expiring contract.he had arguably the worse year a heat player has ever had.not a smart move to trade for him .but for smart id do that in a ny minute
Maybe banking on him going down so his contract can be voided. They may also believe a change of scenery will do him good, especially if he is exonerated of any wrongdoing. Maybe he will get his mojo back. Worst case scenario, he is on an expiring contract.