The Heat decided against waiving guard Terry Rozier on Wednesday, per Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press (Twitter link), which means his full cap hit for the 2025/26 season is now guaranteed.
Rozier’s $26,643,031 salary had been partially guaranteed for $24,924,126, so Miami could have realized just over $1.7MM in cap savings by waiving him. That would’ve opened up a second spot on the Heat’s 15-man roster and given the team the ability to add two players on standard contracts without surpassing the luxury tax line.
However, despite the fact that Rozier has been inactive since being arrested on federal gambling charges and was placed on leave by the league in October, the Heat determined it made more sense to keep him on the roster.
That decision suggests the team wants to maintain the ability to include his expiring contract in a trade for salary-matching purposes. The NBA reportedly hasn’t confirmed one way or the other whether Miami would be permitted to do so, but the team is said to be “confident” that the league wouldn’t block a deal that includes Rozier’s contract.
[RELATED: Attorneys For Terry Rozier Seek Dismissal Of Federal Charges]
While Rozier’s cap hit is now guaranteed, his salary is still being withheld by the NBA in an escrow-type interest-bearing account while he remains on leave. That decision is being fought by the Players Association, with a ruling on the grievance anticipated this month.
Rozier had plenty of company among the players with non-guaranteed salaries who held onto their roster spots today. According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks (Twitter link), not a single player on a standard non-guaranteed contract was placed on waivers on Wednesday, ahead of the salary guarantee deadline.
Three two-way players were cut today: Mark Sears of the Bucks, Malik Williams of the Hawks, and Tosan Evbuomwan of the Knicks.
Saving $1.7M vs. having a $26M expiring contract to include in a trade, I think the Heat made the right decision on this one.
They’re definitely making a trade, the question is for whom.
Rozier, Powell, Keshad Johnson, picks for Kawhi Leonard, Heat sign Alec Burks and Ben Simmons as FAs for those roster spots
I know it’s a long shot but a deal for Giannis centered around Hero would make me so happy.
No way. Keep dreaming
Rozier is getting acquitted and will then sue successfully for back pay.
Unlikely. He’s obviously guilty. FBI caught him and his buddy counting their gambling winnings and the casinos knew immediately something suspicious was up based on his prop bet betting action
Nice of Adam to leave them in limbo 30 days out
Wake up guy
Agreed. What is Silver even doing and why did he let the heat get suckered in that trade?
The best thing the NBA could’ve hoped for was for this scandal to have someone as likable as Scary Terry at the center of it. I’m rooting for Terry Rozier to get all his back pay and to put it on black in the casino.
If the Heat can add value to its roster by using Rozier’s cap number, it would be so on-brand for the Heat too, good for them.
I hope this all works out for Miami and Rozier, respectively.
Kuminga and Buddy H Herro and Rozier
Feels like the type of guy the Nets could acquire to facilitate a trade while getting other compensation in the process. They did a version of this last year by getting De’Anthony Melton from the Warriors even though he was out for the season.