The Miami Heat have been a force to be reckoned with in recent years, and their latest move to acquire Terry Rozier from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Kyle Lowry is a testament to their commitment to success. This trade has the potential to elevate the Heat's performance and solidify their position as contenders in the Eastern Conference.
Firstly, Terry Rozier brings a fresh set of skills and energy to the team. His ability to score efficiently, create plays, and defend at a high level will undoubtedly complement the existing roster. With his quickness and agility, Rozier can provide an additional offensive threat alongside Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. This trio would be formidable on both ends of the court, making it difficult for opponents to contain them.
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.
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