After being acquired by the Heat on Tuesday, Terry Rozier will be available to make his debut with his new team on Wednesday vs. Memphis, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic (via Twitter). The Heat have confirmed the news.
Heat forward Caleb Martin, who played with Rozier in Charlotte, referred to the veteran guard as a “great teammate” and a tough competitor who will “fit right in” with the Heat, per Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald. Martin, Tyler Herro, and Kevin Love all pointed out that the club will benefit from having another contributor capable of putting up 25 or 30 points on any given night.
“It is increasingly important and paramount to have a weapon and a scoring threat out there on the floor at really every position,” Love said. “But somebody who can put points up in a hurry. With teams and offenses scoring so many points and the offensive ratings continuing to go up, usage continuing to go up — I mean, we had two guys score over 60, a guy score 70 (on Monday). It just goes to show you how important that is in this league now.”
While some analysts have expressed concern about the way that Rozier’s and Herro’s skill sets overlap, Herro believes they’ll complement one another well and is looking forward to playing with pace alongside his new teammate.
“We both can play on the ball and off the ball,” Herro said, according to Jackson. “We both can catch and shoot or dribble and shoot. We also can play-make for our teammates. We’re both younger. I think we’ll play faster. Get the ball up the floor. That’s what I want to be a part of and I think the rest of us do too.”
Here’s more on the Heat:
- The Heat ranked 25th in offensive rating last season and are 20th so far this season, including 28th in January. With that in mind, Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald takes an in-depth look at Rozier’s offensive game and considers how having him in the mix will boost the club on that end of the floor.
- One NBA scout who spoke to Jackson of The Miami Herald acknowledged that Rozier isn’t a great defender and that he has a tendency to occasionally force shots, but called the trade a “great move” for the Heat. “This is a no-brainer to me, from the Heat’s standpoint. He’s perfect for them,” the scout said. “… His play-making is a tad underrated. He sees people. He can penetrate. He can get in the lane and dish. He can run pick-and-roll. He’s more of a point guard than Herro. You have to guard him.”
- In another story for The Herald, Jackson explores the Heat’s draft pick situation, pointing out that – due to the Stepien rule – the 2030 pick is the only first-rounder the team can still freely trade.
- Although Caleb Martin has been an important part of the Heat’s rotation, the deal for Rozier means his situation is worth monitoring, notes Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel. As Winderman explains, it will be more challenging financially for Miami to keep Martin beyond the season with Rozier’s contract on the books; plus, the Heat could potentially move below the first tax apron and become a player on the buyout market by moving off of Martin’s expiring contract at the trade deadline. Of course, Martin will have more value than just about any player who will be available in the buyout market, so Miami is unlikely to move him purely for financial reasons.
I’m pretty sure the trade means Herro is getting traded.
As I’ve said, as a Heat fan, who also has a long time affinity for Rozier, I don’t like the trade for multiple reasons, but I’ll hold out full judgment until I see what happens with Herro, etc. Maybe I’m wrong, but in that case, I don’t think this deal makes sense
I also think this negatively impacts Jaime, Duncan Robinson, and even takes the ball out of Jimmy Butler’s hands more. I could also see Richardson being effected as well.
Can’t afford to lose Caleb, without Kyle especially. I could see Dru Smith (b/c of his injury) and Thomas Bryant (kevin Love insurance) potentially being either included with Herro, or used to get under the salary apron though
I doubt that they trade Herro. Clearly Rozier is a good fit and with a strength in numbers team like the heat it doesn’t make sense to worry about supposed “negative impact” IMO.
Game doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Individual stuff isn’t what I’m talking about. As I said, I’m a Rozier fan, but he isn’t Kyle, and the way it impacts the other guys in the floor matters. If healthy, I think this is a downgrade for multiple reasons, although I could see it being similar/better in some areas, if they have guys missing
Adding another guy that needs the ball in his hands, and then playing him with other guys that need the ball in their hands isn’t a recipe for winning. Spacing is also impacted, and defensively it’s a big downgrade
I don’t watch the Heat enough. To really comment critically. But a PG is what they have needed. Even last yr. It’s why they went and got Lowry. Even though he was at end of career. Imo Terry fits them well. I don’t think they make another move. Herro is playing well. His shooting splits are solid. It’s handling PG where he has issues. Time he earn his contract. Heat are still a tough out in playoffs for anyone.
Lowry was the point of attack defender, and a great team defender. He also didn’t need the ball in his hands, spaces the floor, and is a top level playmaker. Before this deal, Heat needed someone to replace Dru Smith as a 1-3 that can do those things as well. Now I think that need is a little more important than it was, and I could see the previous issue at smallball 5/4 coming back around defensively, as with Kyle, you could get away with Jaime in those spots, or even at PG
Herro’s stats are fine. Has he been playing well?…it depends who has been around him. With certain guys missing lately, it hasn’t been good. The whole reason the Heat got Richardson was to make Herro a viable starter, but guys have been in and out. I had thought Richardson meant Herro would be staying, but after this Rozier deal, I don’t think he will be
I think the Heat need a defensive starting center. I also didn’t realize until I read knickerbockerAI is that they do need a good true back up PG. Bam at 6’8 doesn’t cut it at center. He gets beat by taller and more talented centers, Bam to PF. Trade Dru Smith, Thomas Bryant and picks for a real center and back up PG. Maybe let Swider and RJ Hampton go and find two young guys to sign on two ways or the back up PG
Jazian Gortmen and Jaylen Martin for two ways. Both 19 turning 20 and can develop with Jovic
Heat have struggled offensively in january…seems as though it coincides with a certain person coming back healthy. Almost as though the ball doesn’t move as much, and certain players aren’t as impactful with him around. Who ever could have suggested that was the issue for over a year? Who may have foreseen such issues? O wait…
And you lose to Memphis in your first game…..