Miami Heat Make Terry Rozier Decision Amid Gambling Probe

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 08: Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier arrives for an arraignment hearing at U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York on December 08, 2025 in New York City. Rozier is accused of participating in a betting scheme that used insider NBA information. Rozier was one of 34 people, that includes Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, former Kentucky football player De’Niro Laster, and former player Damon Jones, who were charged in separate cases of alleged defrauding poker players in games linked to New York mafia families, as well as fraudulent betting on NBA games. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

So far this season, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier has not played a game. He has been out as the FBI continues to investigate him and his role in an alleged gambling probe. Rozier was arrested by the feds in October, derailing any hope of him playing this season.

Rozier’s complicated status has caused an issue for the Heat all season long. They were unclear on his contract status, so they couldn’t include him in any trades at the deadline. His salary would have been a valuable piece to trade as a salary filler.

Earlier this season, the NBA agreed to put his salary in escrow, meaning he wasn’t going to get paid. The NBAPA appealed, and Rozier won the appeal last month. However, the Heat has made a decision regarding his future.

Miami Heat Release Terry Rozier Amid Gambling Probe

GettyMiami Heat guard Terry Rozier dribbles the ball. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Heat have decided to waive Rozier.

Shams Charania

@ShamsCharania · Follow

The Miami Heat are waiving guard Terry Rozier today, sources tell ESPN. Rozier had been placed on leave by the NBA since October after federal indictments into sports gambling activity. Miami will open up a roster spot.

9:43 am · 10 Apr 2026

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This decision allows the Heat to open up a roster spot, which they can use to help them compete in the play-in. Miami will likely finish 10th in the Eastern Conference standings, meaning they would have to win two play-in games to make the playoffs.

Miami has had success in the play-in before. They made the 2023 NBA Finals against the Nuggets after advancing from the play-in. Miami ultimately lost that Finals, but they are still the only team to advance that far since the play-in has been introduced.

Rozier plead not guilty to conspiracy charges of wire fraud and money laundering. His legal troubles do not seem to be going away anytime soon, so the Heat decided to cut ties right now. That ends a tumultuous tenure with the franchise that saw him underperform.

Terry Rozier’s NBA Future is Murky

GettyMiami Heat guard Terry Rozier dribbles the ball.(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Miami traded Kyle Lowry and a first-round pick to the Hornets for Rozier. Since that trade, Rozier has played horrendous basketball. Rozier’s stats plummeted once he joined the Heat, including last year’s stats. He averaged just 10.6 points per game, which is the lowest total since his last season in Boston.

Last season, Rozier put up the worst stats since he was a rookie. Rozier shot just 39.1 percent from the field and 29.5 percent from beyond the 3-point arc. Now, he is without a team. His future in the NBA looks incredibly murky, and it would be surprising if he played next season.

At this point, Rozier is just trying to avoid jail time. If he is able to stay out of prison, then he can start thinking about putting his basketball career back together. Since it’s a federal case, Miami didn’t feel comfortable trying to guess how the outcome will go.

The Heat will look to replace his spot on the roster as soon as possible. They will look to sign a new player before the end of the regular season so they have a full roster for the play-in.