Within a larger investigation into Malik Beasley and the Jontay Porter betting scandal, Tom Haberstroh stated during an episode of Pablo Torre Finds Out (YouTube link) that Heat guard Terry Rozier has not yet been cleared by federal investigators as part of their probe into illegal sports betting.
As we relayed last month, ESPN’s Shams Charania seemed to suggest during a segment on The Pat McAfee Show that Rozier had been cleared, but it was a vaguely worded passing remark on a live show rather than a concrete report, so it doesn’t come as a huge surprise that it wasn’t quite accurate.
NBA insider Chris Haynes confirmed Haberstroh’s reporting, tweeting that Rozier remains under federal investigation and hasn’t yet been cleared of any wrongdoing.
Rozier continued to play for Miami last season while that investigation was ongoing and remains under contract for one more season. He’ll make about $26.64MM on his expiring deal in 2025/26.
Here’s more on the Heat:
- After responding to Erik Spoelstra‘s criticism with a strong performance in Sunday’s Summer League game vs. Cleveland, Heat big man Kel’el Ware had another impressive outing on Monday vs. Boston, with 21 points and 15 rebounds. “It’s just something that I got to bring every day and like I said, ‘I will,'” Ware said after the game, per Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald. “… When I do it, it’s more of a presence that’s being felt out there. I just got to bring it, that’s it. Plain and simple.”
- Second-year Heat guard Pelle Larsson left Las Vegas after Monday’s game to join the Swedish national team ahead of next month’s EuroBasket tournament, according to Chiang. Larsson was one of the team’s most effective players in Las Vegas, averaging 18.0 points and 3.7 assists per game while getting some reps as a primary ball-handler. “We were trying to grow his game,” Heat Summer League coach Eric Glass said on Monday. “We want him to still be the defensive stopper and role player on offense, but we gave him the ball and it gave him a much higher usage rate, obviously. It was a good experience for him. There were games when he was really good, games that there’s stuff on film now that we can teach him on things to do. But you can’t duplicate these kinds of reps in games. So we were really happy for that.”
- New Heat guard Norman Powell has said he grew up idolizing Dwyane Wade and rooting for the Heat. Wade reciprocated that appreciation by praising Miami’s acquisition of Powell, as Chiang relays in a story for The Herald. “He’s just a great competitor out there on that floor, man,” Wade said of Powell. “That’s what Miami loves, Miami loves competitors and Norman Powell is that. So that’s another step in the direction that you want to see Miami turn to to get this thing right back on track and not go too far away from it. So that’s a good one.”
If Rozier is suspended, what would that do to the Heat’s cap situation?
They’d get cap relief, but it would be applied at the end of the season, so it wouldn’t help them in the short term.
Terry Rozier is playing his last season on the Miami Heat. I’m not sure with his legal issues and play as of late would any team want him. He seems like he would either be a veteran minimum guy come next season or playing overseas.
I watched that Pablo Torre episode yesterday, that’s some decent investigative piece.
It was a relief from the usual LAKERS, LeBron, WARRIORS, Steph fare that ESPN is usually jamming down their audiences throats.
Rozier had himself a horrible last season, he couldn’t make a triple if his life depended on it …. he had some injuries, but he’s a tad bit slower and defenses are too switch heavy now.
He can’t create separation and had difficulty finishing when he does make it to the basket.
Some few positives though, he’s still generally spry, plays with that chip, still combustible. Best case for him, last season was an aberration, he overcomes from whatever injuries.
If the HEAT can’t trade him now, I can still see him playing some spot minutes behind Herro, Norm, Davion.
Sports betting isn’t illegal. It should be, but it isn’t. It’s no less a Ponzi scheme than crypto or other scams the SEC is now not investigating.
He just pissed off the wrong powerful people.
Sports betting on your own sport is about as illegal as it’s a clear conflict of interest.
It’s China or Puerto Rico for Beasley from now on.
Being able to trade Rozier will fully depend on the outcome of that sports betting thing but if he is free then they should definitely look to try cash in on a expiring deal.
Even if it’s as little as Rozier, Jacquez and a pair of seconds for Jerami Grant from the Blazers.
Portland get the future cap relief and can try build something around their young core.
Rozier (26), Rob Williams (13) and Mattise (11.5) would potentially open up some spending but they did also buy out Ayton…
Grants deal of 3 years isn’t helpful to them and you’d also add Jacquez and some draft picks
Whereas for Miami Jerami Grant would be the perfect 3/4 combo forward that’s just a 3 and D guy but could also be a good 3rd or 4th option.
Herro Powell Wiggins Grant Bam Ware Mitchell Highsmith and Jovic makes up a good 9 man rotation with decent depth behind them in Kasparas, Burks, Larson and Fontecchio.
Grant would be a great addition to the Heat but Riley is looking to have as much cpa space as possible next year so I highly doubt Miami would be interested in Grants remaining 3 years and almost $100million.