When the Miami Heat traded for guard Terry Rozier in January 2024, the team couldn’t have anticipated the controversy that would follow.
Rozier, who was averaging 23.2 points per game and 6.6 assists per game at the time of the deal, was not cheap. The Heat traded a lottery-protected 2027 first-round pick for the former All-Star.
The NBA was investigating Rozier as part of an effort to crack down on illegal sports betting. The Heat were not made aware until one year after the trade.
Rozier’s alleged actions occurred in 2023, when he was still a member of the Charlotte Hornets.
Many have theorized that the NBA might award the Heat their pick due to the circumstances. However, NBA insider Tim Bontemps has his doubts.
“I think if they (the Heat) file a grievance, they are not going to win,” Bontemps said. “The NBA is not going to open some can of worms, or they are not going to retroactively go back on trades that happened in the past.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver recently stated that the NBA would explore some form of relief for the Heat amid a situation he described as “unprecedented.”
What the relief could look like is currently unknown.
The Miami Heat Could Trade Terry Rozier
GettyThe NBA could rule in the Miami Heat’s favor, allowing them to trade Terry Rozier.
Tim Bontemps was clear that it would be unlikely for the Miami Heat to win a grievance, but he did explore the possibility of Rozier being moved off the Heat’s roster.
The Heat are in a predicament because the Heat owe Rozier $26.6M, but he is not allowed to suit up and play.
“The fact that Terry Rozier is still on the team, I think to me is a clear indication the Heat believes if they want to trade Terry Rozier, they will be able to trade Terry Rozier this season,” Bontemps said.
“My assumption is that is how this will be enumerated if it is eventually.”
If the NBA does allow the Heat to trade Rozier, he would likely be cut from the team he is traded.
The Miami Heat Getting Return on Draft Picks is Unlikely
GettyThe Miami Heat are not likely to have their first-round pick returned to them.
Bontemps assured Heat fans not to get their hopes up on draft relief.
“If I was a Miami Heat fan, I would not anticipate getting a future pick back because that opens up so many further problems that I don’t think they want to get into,” Bontemps said.
The possibility of the Miami Heat receiving their first-round pick back, or even a compensatory pick, doesn’t appear to be high.
While Adam Silver didn’t shut the door on that possibility, it is not a likely outcome.
The Heat as a team is low on draft capital. Due to the 2027 pick they sent to the Hornets, the Heat are unable to trade their 2026 and 2028 first-round picks because of the Stepien rule.
The team has been linked to both Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo and Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant. Facilitating a trade for one of these stars without being able to deal a first-round pick until 2030 might hamper the team’s chances of landing a disgruntled star.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post NBA Insider Gives the Miami Heat a Reality Check Over Terry Rozier Trade appeared first on Heavy Sports.