JULY 6: The trade is official, the Hornets announced in a press release. In addition to swapping Walker for Rozier, Charlotte has received a protected 2020 second-round pick and sent a 2020 second-rounder to Boston. The pick going to the Celtics is coming from the Knicks or Nets through the Magic, tweets Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer. “We’re excited to be able to acquire Terry in this sign-and-trade deal,” Hornets GM Mitch Kupchak said. “He is an up-and-coming player who has shown continued improvement in his four NBA seasons, and we believe he can take that next step as a starting point guard in this league.”
JUNE 30: The Hornets are on track to acquire Celtics RFA point guard Terry Rozier via a sign-and-trade deal, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic (via Twitter). According to Charania, Rozier will get a three-year, $58MM deal, and it will be fully guaranteed (Twitter link).
Rozier will replace longtime Hornets point guard Kemba Walker in Charlotte’s backcourt, with Walker reportedly set to join the Celtics. The Hornets entered the offseason projected to be an over-the-cap team with no room available to make a bid for Rozier, so working out a sign-and-trade with Boston involving Kemba will allow them to add a quality replacement at the point.
Rozier, 25, had a down year in 2018/19 as he struggled with an inconsistent role coming off the bench behind Irving. However, he flashed serious upside down the stretch in 2017/18, averaging 16.5 PPG, 5.7 APG, and 5.3 RPG in 19 playoff games that spring. The Hornets will be counting on him to recapture that form in Charlotte.
As cap expert Albert Nahmad details (via Twitter), the Hornets, Celtics, and Nets may complete a three-way deal involving a handful of signed-and-traded players, with Kyrie Irving headed to Brooklyn. While such a deal could theoretically work financially, the Nets would need to be incentivized to cooperate and help out two conference rivals.
The Hornets will become hard-capped as a result of acquiring Rozier via a sign-and-trade, tweets ESPN’s Bobby Marks. The Celtics would also face a hard cap if they land Walker via sign-and-trade. Both teams would be prohibited from spending beyond the $138,928,000 tax apron during the 2019/20 league year.
If they can acquire Walker without using cap room and remain an over-the-cap team, the Celtics could retain Al Horford‘s Bird rights and could technically bring him back. Chris Mannix of SI.com and Keith Smith of RealGM suggest (via Twitter) that Boston is aggressively exploring avenues to make that work, but Steve Bulpett of The Boston Herald (Twitter link) hears from a source close to Horford that he’s still unlikely to return.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
HELLA OVER PAID WOW
Even though Charlotte loses Kemba this actually isn’t terrible for them. They save 13 million dollars and get the younger PG. This deal will probably get ripped, but it’s clear the Hornets aren’t going anywhere and gives both Kemba and TR a fresh start
“It’s clear the Hornets aren’t going anywhere” is kind of Charlotte’s slogan, isn’t it?
That’s not true, the went to New Orleans once
Niiice…
If they aren’t going anywhere why give all this money to Rozier?!?! Jordan is horrible!
I like the move. Time for Kemba to move on, and Rozier can step up big.
Jordan’s main issue is drafting and bad mix since Charlotte has to build through the draft.
Somebody has to play PG, don’t they?
I think the idea is that Rozier will play point. Problem is he’s a malcontent backup at best.
He’s actually a lot better then he’s getting credit for. He wasn’t the problem. It was the malcontent starter in front of him. I wish the C’s could’ve found a way to re-sign him
Im assuming Kemba is involved in this same deal?
I like it. Put him in a new team with a new coach. Boston is a total mess right now depending how you look at it. Stevens did Terry wrong and I’m glad he’ll get a fresh start like this.
I think they’d be fine with Kemba or Terry.
They just chose Kemba for the more sure thing.
Getting rid of a malcontented KI is “a total mess” ? Wow.
Irving, Horford, Rozier, Morris, and Baynes for Kemba? Sounds like a mess.
Great way to rebound for Charlotte, Rozier and Bridges could be electrifying next season and push the pace.
what an overpayment. career 38% fg with entitlement issues. MJ isn’t a good talent evaluator.
They’d be screwed without Rozier with Kemba leaving.
A+ effort by Hornets to create some upside
They’ve screwed anyway now with the loss of Lamb.
Salary was possibly a Boston requirement to do a S&T. Otherwise, they may have required another asset.
You clearly don’t watch basketball
Thankful the Hornets jumped in. The Stooges reportedly liked him.
Now Lamb is gone. Who’s next? Me, I’m giving up my 6 seats after this season and will root for the Celtics, the team I rooted for before moving S. 28 yrs ago. Still rebuilding since Bobcat days. David Tipper would make a good owner*****
The biggest concern with this whole story is this guy buying six season tickets to the Bobcats or Hornets or whatever.
20 million a year…for Terry Rozier! AHAAHHAAHHAAHA. Oh my sides.
Yesterday I called for a 4 team double S&T. Someone needs to enter this triangle so Boston gets something. Or something. I think I also predicted a big bonfire, so there’s that to look forward to.
12-15 per would be about right. He’s good, not great, when he starts.
For a Hornets Franchise that signed so many dismal contracts in the frenetic Summer of 2016, this reeks of desperation. Rozier while an upgrade over what would be available at PG utilizing the Mid Level Exception is far from worth $18.333M per season after a disappointing season. Maybe he can reestablish the promise he showed provide to Kyrie’s arrival in Charlotte?
What we’re seeing is the Hornets are unwilling to rebuild. Saddled with negative value contracts. The upside is a few enter their final season (Bismack Biyombo, Marvin Williams, Michael Kidd-GIlchrist). Leaves roughly $50M Guaranteed on books for 2020-2021 prior to Rozier’s contract.
Is there promise is Rozier, PJ Washington, Malik Monk, Miles Bridges with Cody Zeller?
Jimminy willikers batman! That’s an over pay! Boston screwed up not trading him in season then. But in fairness who woulda thought anyone liked him THAT much.