We have another job, friends.
The Heat have been flying under the radar for most of the season, but they made an aggressive move on Tuesday, acquiring Terry Rozier from the Hornets. In exchange, Charlotte will receive Kyle Lowry and a future first-round pick from Miami.
Which team won the trade? Here are some first impressions of the deal between the Heat and Hornets.
Terry Rozier Business Details
Receive heat:
- Terry Rozier
The hornets receive:
- Kyle Lowry
- 2027 first-round pick
Heat grade: A
The Heat missed Donovan Mitchell and Damian Lillard. Rozier, 29, isn’t the star they are, but he’s having the best season of his career, he’s not that expensive and he has the potential to fit in with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo like a glove.
Through 30 games, Rozier is averaging 23.2 points, 6.6 assists and 3.9 rebounds while shooting 45.9 percent from the field and 35.8 percent from 3-point range. His shooting and playmaking should be a nice addition to a Heat team currently ranked 20th in offensive efficiency.
rozier’s catch and shoot numbers They’re down this season, but he’s been a good-to-excellent 3-point shooter for most of his career. He should provide important space for Butler and Adebayo, and it helps that he has experience playing with stars. In Boston, Rozier was teammates with Kyrie Irving, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. In Charlotte he played alongside LaMelo Ball.
Rozier can also take some of the playing load off Butler and Adebayo. He is among the league leaders in offensive drives this season and can create for himself off the dribble.
Defensively, Tyler Herro and Rozier form a smaller backcourt that good teams will look to attack, but Butler and Adebayo are still standout defenders. Also, Erik Spoelstra is a genius. Look for him to make the most of Rozier’s speed and length.
Lowry, 37, averages 8.2 points per game and was recently moved to the bench. The biggest risk involved in the deal for the Heat is the first-round pick, which is reportedly protected lottery in 2027 and unprotected in 2028 if transmitted. Butler will be around 30 years old at that time. That choice could prove valuable.
Hornets Grade: B
There’s still a lot up in the air for Charlotte.
The Hornets have no immediate plans to buy Lowry out. according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The team will reportedly see if they can trade him before the trade deadline, which is a couple of weeks away. Can they trade it for more future assets?
Regarding the choice, could be valuable, but the Heat have had only two losing seasons in the last decade, and still won nearly 40 games in those seasons. As long as Spoelstra and Pat Riley are pulling the strings, they will find ways to be competitive.
This deal will open up cap space for the Hornets. While Rozier is under contract through 2025-26, Lowry will be a free agent in the offseason. It will be interesting to see what the new Charlotte office will do with that freedom.
