Terry Rozier Struggles in Miami: Could the Heat Move on from Him in a Potential Trade with the Lakers?
When the Miami Heat acquired guard Terry Rozier from the Charlotte Hornets at last year’s trade deadline, the move was seen as a potential boost to their backcourt alongside star Jimmy Butler. The expectation was that Rozier would bring scoring, playmaking, and a defensive edge, much like he had shown during his time in Charlotte. However, after more than a dozen appearances in a Heat uniform, it’s clear that Rozier hasn’t been able to live up to the potential that Miami’s front office was hoping for.
Through the first stretch of the 2024-2025 season, Rozier is averaging just 12.9 points and 3.7 assists per game while shooting a disappointing 38 percent from the field. These numbers are a far cry from the production the Heat expected from the 30-year-old guard, who had been a key contributor for the Hornets, averaging over 20 points per game in the previous seasons. His inability to find his rhythm in Miami’s offense has raised questions about his future with the team.
For the Heat, who have championship aspirations this season, Rozier’s struggles could spell trouble, especially with their focus on building a roster around Jimmy Butler and competing for the title. If Rozier’s performance doesn’t improve soon, Miami’s front office may be forced to consider other options. With the NBA trade deadline approaching in February, the Heat could look to move Rozier if they believe a trade could improve the team’s chances of winning a championship.
One potential move that has been proposed involves a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers. According to FanSided, a deal could see the Heat send Terry Rozier and Josh Richardson to the Lakers in exchange for D’Angelo Russell and Gabe Vincent. This trade would address several needs for both teams. The Lakers could benefit from Rozier’s scoring ability and Richardson’s defense, while the Heat could get a former All-Star in Russell, who is capable of running the point guard position, and Gabe Vincent, a solid rotational guard.
However, there’s a complication. D’Angelo Russell has seen a resurgence since being moved to the second unit by first-year Lakers coach JJ Redick, which has made him a more valuable asset to the team. Russell has been playing well, and unless he expresses a strong desire to start, it seems unlikely that the Lakers would want to part with him. In addition, Russell’s chemistry with LeBron James and the Lakers’ overall rotation may be a deterrent for the Lakers to trade him. This means that, while the idea of this trade may have made more sense early in the season, it could be less likely now.
Still, the Heat could look to make a move to solidify their backcourt, especially considering that the chemistry between Rozier and Tyler Herro—Miami’s breakout star—hasn’t been as seamless as they hoped. Herro has expressed confidence in playing alongside Rozier, believing their combination in the backcourt could be lethal. However, if Rozier’s struggles persist, the Heat may have no choice but to explore other options.
For now, the Heat seem committed to giving Rozier a chance to find his form, but the pressure is mounting for him to deliver. As the season progresses and the trade deadline looms, Miami’s front office will have some tough decisions to make. If Rozier can regain the level of play he showed in Charlotte, the Heat could still be a championship contender. But if his performance continues to fall short, a trade may be on the horizon, potentially reshaping the Heat’s backcourt and their pursuit of a title.
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