The recent trade between the Charlotte Hornets and the Miami Heat, which involved Terry Rozier, has sparked a great deal of interest and speculation among basketball enthusiasts. This move signifies a significant shift in both teams' strategies and player dynamics.
Terry Rozier, known for his exceptional ball-handling skills and three-point shooting ability, has been a key player for the Hornets in recent years. However, with this trade, he now finds himself donning the Miami Heat jersey. This acquisition by the Heat demonstrates their commitment to strengthening their backcourt and adding depth to their roster.
The 2027 pick is lottery protected and would convert to an unprotected pick in 2028 if it doesn’t convey
What this means: Miami adds a playmaking and scoring guard in Rozier, who is averaging a career-best 23.2 points per game along with 3.9 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 1.1 steals per game. He is shooting 45.9% overall and 35.8% on 3-pointers this season.
Lowry joined the Heat via a sign-and-trade deal in 2021 but has slowed considerably since his All-Star days with the Toronto Raptors. He is averaging 8.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg and 4.0 apg this season while shooting 42.6% overall and 38.5% on 3-pointers. While he has started 35 of the 37 games he has played for Miami, his playmaking duties have often shifted to Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and others.
Rozier, 29, is in the midst of his best season as a pro. Over 30 games, he's averaging 23.2 points and 6.6 assists per game -- both career-highs.
While he didn't make the postseason over five years with the Hornets, Rozier did play a key role for the Boston Celtics in playoff runs from 2016 to 2019. Most notably, he served as the Celtics' starting point guard on their way to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2018 after Kyrie Irving got hurt.
The Hornets will work to move Lowry, 37, onto another team before the deadline, but short of finding a deal for him and his $29.6 million expiring contract, he could eventually become a contract buyout candidate, sources said.
The Heat will save $15.4 million in luxury tax on the trade and create a $6.4 million trade exception.
Under new ownership in Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin, the Hornets are planning to build around young players LaMelo Ball and rookie Brandon Miller and gather up draft assets and young players in potential deals.
Hornets reportedly have no plans to buy Lowry out of his contract but will work to move him in another trade. The NBA’s trade deadline is Feb. 8.
Charlotte has an impressive young core of Ball, rookie Brandon Miller, and a few other young pieces, but the team has struggled to stay healthy, dealing with seemingly constant injuries all season. Miles Bridges, who missed all of the 2022-23 season but has impressed this year, could also figure into the Hornets’ long-term plans.
Read more
Oscar Nominations 2024 List Bucks fire head coach Adrian Griffin after 43 gamesSarah H
Also on site :
- I’m NHL Hall of Famer and Anna Kournikova’s ex-husband who lost $43m and two mansions in investment scam
- Federal judge extends order restricting Trump’s use of Alien Enemies Act in Colorado
- Pope Francis: A Friend of the Jewish People