The Miami Heat are set to release guard Terry Rozier on Friday. This move clears a roster spot, allowing the team to bring in a player for the upcoming playoffs. Rozier has been on indefinite leave since his indictment in October on federal charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering. He has publicly denied these accusations through his legal representation.
The team's decision comes as the regular season nears its close, with the Heat currently holding the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. Rozier, 32, has not played a game for Miami this season. His tenure with the Heat has been marked by legal entanglements and a significant drop in performance in the prior season.
The financial implications of Rozier's departure are considerable, with reports indicating the Heat will save money by waiving him. The club still owes a future first-round pick to the Charlotte Hornets from the trade that brought Rozier to Miami two years ago. This past season, Rozier's statistics saw a notable decline compared to his career averages.
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Rozier was initially placed on leave by the NBA in October following his arrest. While the league conducted its own investigation, it reportedly did not find sufficient evidence to conclude Rozier had broken league rules at that time. However, the federal investigation proceeded. Records indicate Rozier has met his property tax obligations. The NBA's internal investigation noted unusual betting patterns related to prop bets involving Rozier in a past Charlotte game, which alerted the league.
