Heat to Release Terry Rozier Friday for Roster Space

The Heat will release Terry Rozier before 5 p.m. on Friday, a league source confirmed to Filmogaz.com. The move creates immediate roster space on Miami’s standard roster late in the regular season.

Roster implications

Waiving Rozier opens the 15th and final standard roster spot. Miami could convert a two-way deal to a standard contract.

• Potential promotions: Vlad Goldin, Trevor Keels, or Jahmir Young.
• Two-way deals do not allow postseason eligibility.
• Whoever signs a standard deal will be playoff eligible.

Timing and roster rules

Teams with 15 standard players may use two-way players for 150 active games this season. Teams with fewer than 15 standard contracts are limited to 90 total two-way active games.

Heat officials waited until Friday partly to preserve that 150-game allowance. The timing also preserves flexibility in case of late injuries.

Schedule and team form

Miami has two regular-season games remaining. They visit the Washington Wizards Friday at Capital One Arena.

The Heat finish at home Sunday against the Atlanta Hawks at Kaseya Center. Miami lost 128-114 in Toronto on Thursday.

The club has dropped 10 of its last 13 games. It is already locked into the NBA play-in tournament for the fourth straight season.

Legal status and background

Rozier was arrested on Oct. 23 as part of a federal probe into alleged illegal gambling. The NBA placed him on paid leave soon after the arrest.

He pleaded not guilty during a December arraignment in Brooklyn. A judge released him on a $3 million bond secured by his South Florida home.

Charges and allegations

Federal prosecutors charged Rozier with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Authorities say he provided inside information about leaving a March 2023 game early.

His lawyer, Jim Trusty, has denied the allegations.

Contract, salary and waiver details

Rozier’s $26.6 million salary for the season was already guaranteed. An arbitrator ordered that sum released in early February.

He will become an unrestricted free agent after clearing waivers on Sunday. Miami can sign a replacement without exceeding the luxury tax threshold.

Trade fallout and pick protections

Miami acquired Rozier in January 2024. The Heat sent Kyle Lowry’s expiring contract and a first-round pick to Charlotte.

The draft pick arrangement remains unsettled. The first-rounder will convey to Charlotte in 2027 unless it lands in the top 14. If it does, Charlotte receives Miami’s 2028 first-round pick instead.

Charlotte agreed to send a 2026 second-round pick to Miami to resolve a related trade dispute.

On-court performance with Miami

Rozier played 31 games for Miami in 2023-24 before a neck injury sidelined him late in the year. He missed the postseason that season.

In 2024-25 he began as a starter but fell to a bench role. He finished that regular season averaging 10.6 points per game while shooting 39.1 percent overall and 29.5 percent from three.

Rozier was the Boston Celtics’ 16th overall pick in 2015. He had not appeared in a playoff game as a Heat player before this roster move.

Filmogaz.com will continue to follow developments related to Terry Rozier’s release and Miami’s roster decisions.