1:30pm: The trade is official, according to announcements from both the Hornets and Heat.
“I want to thank Terry for all his efforts since coming to Charlotte,” Hornets president of basketball operations Mitch Kupchak said in a statement. “On the court, he was a true professional and a great competitor who set a positive example for our young players. He also made himself a staple of the Charlotte community with his commitment to giving back. We wish him all the best in the future.
“The acquisition of a future first-round pick provides us an asset as we look to build long-term sustainable success around our young core of talented players. We believe adding this future pick and the additional financial flexibility from this trade will be beneficial as we continue to build our team moving forward.”
9:13am: The Hornets are trading guard Terry Rozier to the Heat in exchange for Kyle Lowry and Miami’s 2027 first-round pick, sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link). Shams Charania of The Athletic first reported (via Twitter) that the two teams were closing in on a deal.
The 2027 first-rounder will be lottery protected, according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link). If it lands in the top 14 of the ’27 draft, the Heat would keep it and would instead send the Hornets their unprotected 2028 first-round pick, Fischer adds.
Rozier is in the midst of a career year. His 23.2 points and 6.6 assists per game through 30 appearances (35.5 MPG) are both career highs, as is his 45.9% field goal percentage.
While the 29-year-old has played a key role in Charlotte in recent years – starting all 298 games he has played for the team since 2019 – the 10-31 Hornets are far from contention, so it makes sense for the team to move on from him and recoup future assets.
Fischer reported last week that Rozier had a “known preference” to end up in Miami if he were to be traded this season. According to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald (Twitter link), Rozier’s favorite player growing up was Heat star Dwyane Wade.
The Heat have had a solid first half despite dealing with injuries to several starters and rotation players — they currently sit in a tie for the sixth seed in the East, with a 24-19 record. Still, the club could use the sort of offensive punch that Rozier will provide. Miami’s 113.4 offensive rating ranks just 20th in the NBA and 10th among Eastern teams.
Rozier is earning approximately $23.2MM this season, while Lowry is on a $29.7MM expiring contract, so the deal will save the Heat a substantial chunk of money in the short term. In addition to trimming its 2023/24 team salary, Miami will reduce its projected luxury tax bill by approximately $15MM and will move well below the second tax apron, as cap experts Yossi Gozlan and Bobby Marks observe (Twitter links).
The move will add some money to the Heat’s books in future seasons, however. Whereas Lowry will reach free agency this offseason, Rozier is owed $24.9MM in 2024/25, and his $26.6MM cap hit for ’25/26 features a significant partial guarantee ($24.9MM).
The Hornets, meanwhile, will create some cap flexibility for future seasons by moving Rozier’s multiyear deal for Lowry’s expiring contract. As Gozlan points out (via Twitter), the team could generate approximately $45MM in cap room this summer.
However, Charlotte likely isn’t done dealing and remains in asset accumulation mode, as Wojnarowski tweets. Miles Bridges, P.J. Washington, and Gordon Hayward are among the other veteran candidates on the Hornets’ roster. Additionally, the front office is expected to see if it can flip Lowry in another trade before the February 8 deadline, sources tell Wojnarowski (Twitter link).
Lowry won’t have positive trade value on his own, but his expiring money may appeal to a team looking to move off a player on a multiyear deal. The Hornets could potentially extract an asset or two if they’re willing to take back an unwanted contract.
If no trade emerges for Lowry, he’d be a buyout candidate after the trade deadline. Because his salary is above the mid-level exception, the 37-year-old wouldn’t be permitted to sign with a team whose salary is above either tax apron. He’d also be ineligible to return to Miami.
It’s worth noting that the Heat owe a lottery-protected 2025 first-round pick to Oklahoma City and can’t leave themselves without first-rounders in consecutive drafts, due to the Stepien rule. So if that ’25 pick lands in the lottery, Miami would owe the Thunder an unprotected 2026 first-round selection and would send Charlotte its unprotected 2028 first-rounder.
The Heat will create a $6,477,319 trade exception in the swap — that’s the difference between Lowry’s outgoing salary and Rozier’s incoming cap charge.
Waste of a 1st, Rozier isn’t a championship push difference maker.
It’s a good trade. What other player was the heat gonna get for basically one first rounder?
Value of Heat first round pick is overrated
Heat are capable of take down Bucks and 76ers in playoffs
Facts, the heat pick isnt gonna do much (Probably), and thats assuming the heat arent a winning team in 2027. The Pick IS lottery protected so you never know
Jaime Jaquez Jr.
The unprotected 28 1st could be deadly. If they are a lottery team in 27 it’ll be hard to become a contender right away and not lose a more valuable 28 pick.
A first round pick beyond pick 7 isn’t valuable
Jaime Jaquez Jr.
@Jimmy Fitzsimmons
The Heat are one of the few teams that make the most out of lower picks. Nearly every other team doesn’t. It’s dangerous for the Heat to acquire a late 1st rounder, but pretty safe when they trade one away.
Late draft picks usually pan out well due to the system and culture of the team that drafts them.
And Celtics
Miami needed a scorer so they picked up one without losing much. Sometimes one player can make a difference.
No question that he improves the Heat. Too soon to tell if that will get them to the Finals again
NBA picks aren’t like NFL picks. I bet you who ever that player ends up being won’t be better than Rozier
Used to be like that. There’s too much talent coming into the league to disregard a picks 16-30.
Go look at the last 3 drafts (not counting this year’s obviously). Picks 16-30 have produced a ton of really good NBA players. Expansion is maybe 2 years from being announced. Probably sooner
With the Heat, their first would have been late first round. Those aren’t worth much in the NBA.
Hate to see Terry’s toughness and knack to hit tough shots gone, but it felt like the Hornets offense ran smoother when he wasn’t in the game. This should allow Miller and Ball to have some more offensive freedom and keep the ball moving more. To get a 1st and some financial flexibility, this seems like a win for the Hornets.
I’m okay with the trade from the Hornets’ side. I’m not prepared to call it a win yet though until we’re sure Mitch won’t be the guy responsible for making that selection when the time comes.
For me it’s a clear win for the Hornets.
they’re going from a 5ppg PG to a 23ppg PG….. this is a massive deal for the heat
Except Rozier isn’t gonna score anywhere near 23 PPG for Miami. Dude is shooting 18 shots a game currently.
Butler shoots 13 shots a game currently for context.
Still a nice trade for Miami, but don’t expect 20 plus from Rozier.
Rozier was putting up career numbers on a bottom 5 team. Those won’t be close to that good with Miami and I don’t view him as a missing piece. That 1st round pick could be really valuable in 27 or 28 cause jimmy will be close to done.
Anything he does will be better than what a past his prime Lowry is doing. $30M for 8 ppg???
It’s an upgrade this season, but I don’t think they’ll win a championship so that pick could hurt them.
29 teams won’t win an NBA title this season. Coach Spoelstra will have them ready regardless and competing for another NBA finals run.
He’ll score in Miami… it’ll be easier for him to score because of the talent around him, not harder.
So, you think he’s gonna average more than 23 a game on Miami?
Cuz he won’t
Except there’s zero chance Rozier averages 23 ppg with the Heat. He’s not going to be getting more shots than Jimmy, let alone Herro like he has been with Charlotte.
Not to say he won’t be good for them, because he could be. But he’s not scoring 20+ per game.
Edit: Ninja’d
Great minds think alike
to all you saying “he won’t get 18 shots a game”…. well duh lol… but if he’s playing at the same PER he was in charlotte, he’s basically what Lowry was in the mid 2010’s…. if he plays that way (or even the level Goran was for the heat) the Heat just got a new level of capability. Lowry was supposed to be the threat Rozier will be.
We’re saying that because of you writing “they’re going from a 5ppg PG to a 23ppg PG”
I mean, Oubre scored 20 plus a game on Charlotte last year, and now he’s averaging 13 on a team with more options.. Expect similar numbers from Rozier.
We all get Rozier is better than Lowry.
Oubre is now on team the has Embiid, Harris and Maxey. They take most of the shots in games. Oubre doesn’t have the same scoring opportunities as a Sixer as he did on the Hornets. His shooting percents are actually higher from the field in Philly, but like I said, he shoots less. He also got hit by a car in November and hasn’t been the same since. He played more minutes per game in Charlotte. More shots and more minutes equal more points. Terry will do well on his new team. Miami is team oriented. They always look for the best shot and play defense.
“Oubre is now on team the has Embiid, Harris and Maxey. They take most of the shots in games. Oubre doesn’t have the same scoring opportunities as a Sixer as he did on the Hornets.”
Yeah, that’s what I said.
There’s no Embiid, Harris, or Maxey in Miami.
Rozier will be who he is.
But, I’m noticing you have all the answers. Why are you limiting all your vast amounts of knowledge to Hoops Rumors rather than doing it in the real basketball world?
You’re cheating the game of the next great basketball mind.
We all have opinions, just like you. It’s all good. Don’t take this stuff so serious. It’s just entertainment. Enjoy it bro.
I assume Lowry is going to be bought out by the Hornets? There’s no reason whatsoever for him playing for the Hornets
Great leader and mentor for Ball for the rest of the season or until the trade deadline as a salary matching trade?
Article mentions the buy out indeed.
Lowry could not go to Denver, Phoenix, LA Clippers, Golden State, Bucks, Celtics and Heat after a buy out due to the new CBA rule.
If Philly and the Lakers make a trade to duck below the tax, they can sign Lowry. But right now they can’t either.
That gives teams like Cavaliers, Knicks, Pacers, Timberwolves, Pelicans or Kings an ideal opportunity to add Lowry on a rest-of-season minimum salary deal (or higher via a trade exception)
I love that Terry is free from that dumpster fire team. The Heat get better for sure but at the same time I dont feel like this is something that puts them over the top teams. But who knows, Miami has been proving me wrong all these past 5 years
This is a great trade by the heat, Rozier is gonna be a guy who can give you instant offense, cost less than Lowry and is a better player than lowry anyways. Gonna be interesting to see how Lowry comes off the bench for the hornets, and super interesting to see terry rozier blend in with Butler and Bam
That entire Lowry contract was dead money, he offered little to no value for the Heat
Disagree. It was pain-in-the-butt money, but not dead. Lowry is shooting 39% from 3 on over 4 attempts per game and the Heat’s offense was better with him on the floor, directing traffic. Not worth his contract, but he was still providing some value.
If you think that 8 points per game on a $30M salary is acceptable, then you really don’t know what a bust he has been for the Heat.
I said “not worth his contract”. I do know exactly how much he’s annoyed Heat fans. But to say he’s a “bust” or “dead money” is just not true. “Overpaid” and “not good enough”, I’d take. Bust means you have zero or negative value.
Also, if PPG is the only thing you’re noticing, that says plenty.
PPG is important. That is the object of the game. It’s called Basketball.
The object is winning…
The Heat as a team averaged 115 points per 100 possessions with Lowry on the floor. 105 without. There’s your extra ppg, bruh. He makes the whole team better, rather than doing it himself. There’s more than one way to provide value to a team.
He does literally everything else, and the only reason he doesn’t score more is b/c he doesn’t need to…Heat were 3-0 with him in games with 0 points, by the way
Rozier will be the 4th option on the Heat. I think the Heat screwed up with this one. Lowry is a expiring contract, that was 24M that could of went into next year’s free agency class. You could of bench him and gave Jaquez and Martin more minutes. Probably would of gotten the equivalent production you will end up getting out of Rozier and saved your 1st rounder. The Hornets won this clearing cap space and picking up a 1st rounder.
Couldn’t that also simply be due to the fact of Lowry playing mostly with the starters?
Idk Lowry’s actual role on the Heat, nor their precise rotations that well, so maybe I’m wrong. I’m more or less just asking the question.
How much does the defense allow with and without him? You can’t say he makes them better without including both numbers.
You can score a lot on low percentages and have high PPG stats.
Share the ball also with your teammates and focus on the win…
Lowry was 0-18 from 3 the last 5 games. Your takes are getting bad. He does have some value but mostly as a expiring contract. He can lead a team but at 30 million is to much. He will be great helping a team after he gets bought out. EON please slow down with your takes. This one is bad and the trailblazer one is hilarious. Miami would never win with Lowry and Bam playing C at 6’8
1 NBA Finals, and 1 would be NBA finals had Secaucus, NJ not stolen 3 points from them in game 7 of the ECF for no reason…ya, totally zero value…
I agree that Lowry is not worth his contract. But he is worth more than some other contracts, because he is on an expiring deal.
Golden State could try to dump Wiggins+Payton for Lowry?
Or maybe they want to exchange Chris Paul for Kyle Lowry and save a little luxury tax in the process? Shouldnt cost them too much?
The fact that his salary cannot be aggregated with other players excludes some potential trades though.
So the chance is quite high he will be bought out by the Hornets.
However, Lowry could not go to Denver, Phoenix, LA Clippers, Golden State, Bucks, Celtics and Heat after a buy out due to the new CBA rule.
If Philly and the Lakers make a trade to duck below the tax, they can sign Lowry or all other buyout players. But right now they can’t either.
That gives teams like OKC, Houston, Cavaliers, Knicks, Pacers, Timberwolves, Pelicans or Kings an ideal opportunity to add Lowry on a rest-of-season minimum salary deal (or a higher salary via a trade exception)
Jovic not included… Could of used a young PF. Now trade Bridges and Washington with picks to Detroit for Joe Harris and Thompson. Move Miller to SG. Look at young two way PFs. Start over fresh Hornets
No way Detroit trades Thompson. He’s a great defender and only 20. Future all star. Maybe for Miller or LeMelo.
Damian Lillard lite
Rozier plays defense
Dude, Damian Lillard lite is about the biggest compliment Rozier could get.
Rozier is a good fit, and it makes some use of Lowry. They do put another multi-year salary on a payroll that’s up against the apron.
Good deal for both sides Lowry would be a good fit in Minnesota.
Minnesota doesn’t have the assets to trade for Lowry, unless you think they are trading Conley or KAT for him? Which would be insane for a chubby old PG.
He won’t go to Minny if he is basically an automatic starter for Suns. The 76ers are another because he is a Philly guy.
Neither of them can get him as a buyout. Suns basically can’t trade for him, and the Sixers would have got give up a ton of wing depth to match his contract. Neither is feasible.
I really don’t understand why trade Rozier for nothing, salary matches reason only?. Waste of time the draft pick and Lowry maybe never play in Charlotte.Good luck with that Hornets.
They clear up future cap to sign Miller and Williams, who are their building blocks next to LaMelo. Rozier still has two more years on his deal, remember.
Also, combined with Heyward’s contract coming off the books, they have over 60 million in cap space for next offseason. Could try and make a splash to pair someone like Claxton or Siakam with Ball (yes, Siakam is expected to sign with the Pacers, not the point). Or trade some of their young guys for an established star.
Rozier wasn’t going to have higher value either, really.
creates $25M in cap space next season, gets them a 1st round pick, Terry is not in their age timeline, will be 3o soon. Only Hayward and Ish Smith were older. Charlotte is in a rebuild around LaMelo and Miller. MJ created a mess as an owner. Now that his in not the majority owner, the team can move forward.
Nicely done. Will heat trade for Miles Bridges also?
He would’ve been included in the rozier trade if Miami would’ve taken the media backlash from acquiring him. My guess is Charlotte resigns him cause he shouldn’t have every team waiting to sign him and as bad as Charlotte is, they’d be an even worse team without him.
No one knows if miami heat will suck in 2027, Advance 1st round pick trades that are protected is still a mystery until that year comes.
Now, should charlotte buy out lowry?
Give more playing time for james bouknight?
Charlotte should acquire bruce brown?
For PJ Washington and Nic Richards? Perhaps.
I like Wendal Carter Jr for Bruce more.
Why? They aren’t even making the playoffs.
More money for Hornets to throw at free agents. More cap relief for Charlotte.
Pat Riley made a major overpay, giving an old Kyle Lowry who was out of shape and overweight a $90M contract for 3 years. Riley overpays too often. Overpaid Duncan Robinson as well.
duncan good rn
Kyle is still one of the best 2 way guards in the NBA, isn’t a ball stopper, knocks down shots, is a really strong playmaker. If you only care about stats, you may think you know what you’re saying, but that isn’t necessarily conducive to winning. Kyle Lowry is a winner
Rozier is a great pickup for Heat. He plays the way they do. Huge upgrade over Lowry right now. Heat got deeper, stronger, better. And they were in Finals last yr.
Bucks Celtics still top dogs in East….
We are missing it here. Is that Heat out of Murray talks now.
Soooooooo where is he going. That’s what we all want to know. He’s the big catch. Unless it’s DeM DeR to Knickerbockers.
Good trade for both teams
Just coming out of anesthesia, so not altogether at the moment, but I really didn’t want to move Lowry for anything not specific pieces
I wanted Rozier like 7+ years ago where I was saying they should trade Whiteside ++ for him and 1 of their picks (which ended up being 1 of their 2 guys, don’t remember which) and people crucified from Heat perspective, which looks comical now
Rozier always idolized Wade, so it will be cool to see him get a chance to play for this team, but we don’t need more smaller guards that need the ball in their hands, as a scorer. Heat already have Herro
Lowry is exponentially important to this team, especially after losing Dru Smith. Not necessarily a fan of giving him up, plus assets to arguably not get better, unless more than just Rozier is involved…
Again, I’m literally just coming out of it lol
Of the players theoretically available, there are only a couple of them I’m interested in, and 2 of them already got moved…
…now that I have more of myself together, I’m confused by this deal, unless Herro gets moved somewhere. This definitely effects the defense, spacing, and playmaking for the Heat. I do still think they’re somewhat similar in certain situations, but it depends on matchups and who is healthy. With everyone healthy, I think we’re slightly worse, and gave up an asset to do so, plus took on longer term money.
I’m also really sad to see Kyle go. I was hoping he would stick around another 1-2 years after this. Not many players I thought made sense to make a move, and this wasn’t on my list, despite my affinity for Rozier
Secretly hoping Lowry gets traded again, and then bought out, and returns (not sure how the new rules are with that though)
Can’t come back this year to Mia
If he is traded again, and bought out, he could previously, but I don’t know what the new buyout rules are in general/if the Heat can add a buyout player, e en now that they opened up some room
That being said, they can probably at least finally add a 15th roster spot without worrying about tax, though I admittedly didn’t look into that either
If it weren’t for the Stepien rule every team would trade all their draft picks away for established players. I’d trade every single pick for every year if the NBA let me. The only time I’d use a draft pick is when the NBA forces me too. I’d trade all my worthless 2nd round picks and every single first round pick that I’m allowed to and get established young players. There’s hardly ever a draft pick that makes a difference on your team anymore. No one stays in college long enough to develop. That’s why they created the G league. Twenty years ago players in the draft were more polished than they are now. I’m not sure we even need 2 rounds of the draft anymore. If you don’t have the first or second pick the odds of finding a true difference maker are slim.
I’d like, if I’m the Heat, to replace the PG on court leadership role, they had in their Finals’ run (Dragic, Lowry), with a backup PG. CP3.
It’s a good balance and complements their style, very well. I like Rozier, he’ll help on the court a Lot. I assume they need, the kind of leader I said before, to get the best production out of them, to allow Jimmy to elevate in the playoffs, as he usually rises. And their supporting cast.
Good get. Nobody wants to play miami in the playoffs, Rozier certainly brings energy.
I’m happy because my pistons play the hornets tomorrow and may get their 3rd win against a team that just made a trade. Troy Weaver has to have something do with this
The Heat did great, Jovic is a good development potential glad he’s not a part of the deal.
Nice upgrade. Fits with Jimmy and Bam well too. Helps a lot overall. Heat needed more scoring.
Pretty good move by Miami. They can make a secondary move with that remaining FRP too.
Lowry, BO ultimately. Sixers would love to have him. Sixers brass would at a min deal too.
Lowry getting bought out likely going to Suns who have no PG.
Can they sign a buyout player, with the new rules?
No
absolutely NOT.
Suns chose to not have a point guard. These teams go through the same thing every couple of years.
They can’t sign him with the new rules. Suns can shoot but have no defense.
I don’t really see this as doing anything bar adding a couple of regular season wins for the Heat…
Rozier is in his prime and Lowry wasn’t even mentioned by his new GM in this article…
But Terry isn’t going to be the missing piece in Miami… Raises their floor but not their ceiling…