The Miami Heat have officially ended their association with Terry Rozier, waiving the veteran guard as the team finalized its roster for the postseason.
The move closes a turbulent chapter that began when Rozier was placed on an indefinite, unpaid leave by the NBA in October after a shocking federal indictment.
The 32-year-old was among more than 30 individuals arrested by the FBI as part of a massive investigation into alleged illegal sports-gambling activity.
The Heat announced the decision on Friday, just hours before the deadline to waive players on expiring contracts ahead of the upcoming play-in tournament.
By waiving Rozier now, the organization opens up a crucial roster spot, allowing them to add a fresh contributor before the playoff eligibility deadline on Sunday.
Rozier has not appeared in a single game for Miami this season, as the league took immediate action following the federal charges brought against him last year.
The Miami Heat are set to waive guard Terry Rozier before the end of the regular season
Rozier pled not guilty to charges he’s facing and is currently out on $3million bond
The arrest stems from Rozier’s alleged actions during a 2023 game against the New Orleans Pelicans, while he was still a member of the Charlotte Hornets.
Federal investigators allege that a bettor placed a substantial $14,000 bet on Rozier’s ‘unders’ just moments before the game was scheduled to tip off.
Rozier subsequently left that contest after playing only nine minutes, citing a foot injury, a move that allowed the suspicious wagers to pay out in full.
The FBI further alleged that Rozier tipped off a friend, Deniro Laster, who then reportedly sold that insider information to other bettors for roughly $100,000.
Rozier has consistently denied any wrongdoing, with his legal team asserting that the guard looks forward to ‘winning this fight’ and clearing his name in court.
In December, the guard pleaded not guilty to serious charges of wire fraud and money laundering before being released on a significant $3 million bond.
The legal drama created a massive headache for the Heat, who acquired Rozier in a high-profile trade from Charlotte in January 2024 for a first-round pick.
It later emerged that Miami was unaware of the federal and NBA investigations into Rozier at the time the trade was finalized with the Hornets’ front office.
Rozier has been away from the team since October and his contract is set to expire in summer
As a result of the oversight, the Hornets reportedly agreed to provide the Heat with a future second-round draft pick as a form of compensation for the fallout.
While Rozier won a salary dispute in February – ensuring his $26.6 million salary was paid – the Heat remained focused on moving forward without the veteran.
Insiders suggest that waiving Rozier is as much about protecting the ‘Heat Culture’ and compliance standards as it is about managing the team’s luxury tax.
The team has thrived despite his absence, relying on a deep, veteran guard rotation to secure a spot in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament this month.
The NBA has shown a zero-tolerance policy toward gambling in recent years, making any potential return to the hardwood unlikely until his case is fully resolved.
As the legal process continues in federal court, the guard’s future in professional basketball remains entirely dependent on the outcome of his trial.
