Heat make questioning move on Terry Rozier despite legal issues

4 days ago 2

Heat make questioning move on Terry Rozier despite legal issues originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

One of the top stories this season in the NBA had to do with the gambling charges that involved multiple people throughout the league. One of them involved the Miami Heat's Terry Rozier.

The 31-year-old is facing federal charges for allegedly participating in a sports betting scheme that involved his player props in 2023 while he was with the Charlotte Hornets.

Upon recent reports just before the new year, Rozier and his legal team are still making moves for the case to be dismissed. This would result in the veteran returning to playing basketball.

Heat opt not to waive Terry Rozier, guaranteeing a full cap hit on guard for the rest of the 2025-26 season

According to AP NBA writer Tim Reynolds, the Heat will not be waiving Terry Rozier and is taking on the $1.7 million remaining on his contract for the 2025-26 season.

Reynolds also mentioned that this move "indicates Miami is trying to trade Rozier and didn't see enough value in adding a bit of cap space."

To break this down, Rozier's salary for $26.64 million in 2025-26 is partially guaranteed at $24.9 million. Miami decided to take on the remaining $1.7 million on Wednesday.

Although the NBA hasn't said that the Heat will be able to include Rozier in a trade, "but the team is said to be confident the league wouldn't block it," Sam Amico of Hoops Wire mentioned.

There's still uncertainty behind Rozier ever making it back to the NBA court while he deals with his involvement in the alleged betting scandal, but Miami is still utilizing the veteran as a trade asset. They will continue to do so until told otherwise.

As for Rozier, his job is at stake while the $26.6 million he's owed for the 2025-26 season is being held in escrow and isn't getting paid to him while he's under investigation and is on NBA leave.