Heat to consider Rozier trade option despite arraignment in gambling probe

Ira Winderman, South Florida Sun Sentinel on Dec 8, 2025

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

ORLANDO, Fla. — In the void of clarity from the NBA, the Miami Heat are moving forward under the presumption that they can negotiate potential trades involving Terry Rozier’s expiring contract.

According to an NBA source familiar with the process, the Heat are working under the premise that Rozier’s $26.6 million 2025-26 salary is available to be put into play on the trade market.

While Rozier is not expected to be back in NBA uniform before the expiration of his contract at season’s end, and while he had his Monday arraignment in Brooklyn Federal Court as part of the FBI’s ongoing gambling investigation, his salary potentially could bridge the gap under the NBA salary cap when it comes to a trade.

The NBA’s personnel market is expected to shift into a higher gear starting next Monday, with Dec. 15 the date when most players signed in the offseason become eligible to be dealt.

The Heat also are a month away from the league’s Jan. 7 guarantee date for all NBA contracts. Should Rozier not be traded by then, the Heat would have a decision on whether to waive the 31-year-old guard in order to reclaim the non-guaranteed portion of his contract. That $1.6 million could then be utilized to sign a player at the veteran minimum to replace Rozier on the 15-player standard roster.

According to a source familiar with the process, the Heat have not received definitive clarity on whether Rozier can be traded, waived, or even whether the non-guaranteed portion of his contract can be reclaimed.

Further clarity could come later this week, with the possibility of NBA Commissioner Adam Silver commenting at the NBA Cup semifinal and championship games in Las Vegas.

The Heat could find themselves in Las Vegas at the same venue as Silver, if they win Tuesday night’s NBA Cup quarterfinal game against the Orlando Magic at Kia Center.

Rozier was arrested in Orlando after the Heat’s Oct. 22 season-opening loss to the Magic. He has been away from the team since, listed on the team’s daily personnel report, as “not with team.”

Rozier, after struggling last season, was not expected to be in the Heat rotation this season, minimizing the impact of his lack of availability.

But he has remained a ledger entry on the team’s payroll, both in terms of the salary cap, and the luxury tax. That ledger aspect now could have him on the roster of another team, while still inactive, if the NBA were to sign off on a potential Heat trade proposal.

After a hot start to the season, the Heat have leveled off, displaying a need for additional bulk in their power rotation and possibly additional 3-point shooting.

Back at it

Guard Dru Smith (left hip) contusion was the lone Heat player not to practice Monday during the team’s practice at Kaseya Center.

After sitting out Saturday night’s loss to the Kings, guards Davion Mitchell (groin) and Pelle Larsson (hip) each said they will return Tuesday.

Less clear is the status of guard Tyler Herro (toe), who has missed the past two games.

With the uncertainty in the backcourt, first-round pick Kasparas Jakucionis and two-way player Myron Gardner were back with the Heat on Monday from the G League.

Good cause

Over $250,000 was raised at Sunday’s Coach Spo 5K benefiting Nicklaus Children’s and the Miami Heat Charitable Fund.

Included at the Miami event was the Heat’s coach presenting longtime Heat public-address announcer Michael Baiamonte, who is retiring after this season, with a special Lifetime Achievement Coach Spo Personalized Medal, one in the form of a microphone.

____