The Miami Heat could be exploring a buyout with veteran guard Terry Rozier, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.
Fischer reported that Miami still hopes to move Rozier, but trade interest has been limited. With the 31-year-old entering the final season of his four-year, $96 million contract, the organization is said to have some level of interest in a buyout, though no agreement appears imminent.
Rozier is owed $26.6 million this season, a significant figure for a player who has struggled to find a consistent role in Miami’s rotation. After arriving from Charlotte midway through the 2023–24 campaign, he averaged 16.4 points per game with the Heat that year, but his production dropped to 10.6 points per contest across 64 games last season.
The veteran’s shooting also dipped, connecting on just 39.1% from the field and 29.5% from three-point range. Once known as a reliable scorer and secondary playmaker, Rozier’s fit alongside Miami’s current backcourt of Tyler Herro, Davion Mitchell, and Norman Powell has been questioned.
Financially, a buyout would allow the Heat to reduce future salary commitments while creating roster flexibility. Miami recently added Norman Powell and rookie Kasparas Jakucionis, further crowding its guard depth chart.
Rozier’s playoff résumé remains notable, including a breakout run with the Boston Celtics in 2018 when he averaged 16.5 points and 5.7 assists over 19 games. However, since then, his postseason appearances have been limited, and his impact has diminished compared to his peak years in Charlotte, when he posted back-to-back 20-point-per-game seasons.
For Miami, the decision reflects a broader shift in roster construction following last season’s major changes. Jimmy Butler was dealt to Golden State, and the Heat added forwards Andrew Wiggins and Simone Fontecchio as part of a retooled lineup around Bam Adebayo.
