Possible Return For This Miami Heat Point Guard Is In The Air

Miami Heat point guard Terry Rozier impressed the Heat brass, but whether he returns next year is in question.

Possible Return For This Miami Heat Point Guard Is In The Air

Miami’s PG Upgrade Reaped A Good Return

Currently signed Miami Heat point guard Terry Rozier clearly made an impression post-trade from the Charlotte Hornets. Having spent the prior four-and-a-half seasons as the Hornets’ starting point guard, Rozier’s play made little noise due to his playing location. That didn’t factor into his impact, though. Rozier has always been a sufficient ball-handler and scorer of the basketball. These two elements led Miami to upgrade from Kyle Lowry before this past season’s trade deadline. Until his neck injury, he was playing well and contributing—taking a chunk of the scoring load off of Jimmy Butler. 

Terry Rozier’s Offensive Impact Impressed

Despite Rozier’s disappointing injury, Miami Heat President Pat Riley has highly regarded Rozier. During a season-ending news conference last week, Riley remarked that Rozier met the expectations they had for him. Unfortunately, Rozier’s injury knocked him out before the playoffs. Before his injury, Rozier produced impressive numbers. He averaged 16.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and one steal per game. He shot 42.3 percent from the field and 37.1 percent from the three-point line. In 31 games for the Heat, the trade had proven to be the right move for the Heat organization. Miami spent the season struggling to score points and pressuring opponents in the paint from wing players. Rozier came in and instantly became a hard driver to the basket. He drove to the rim an average of 10.3 times per game. Only Butler and Tyler Herro drove to the rim more.

Pat Riley Pleased With Rozier’s Play

In Charlotte before the trade, Rozier averaged 23.2 points on 18.3 shot attempts per game. Although his numbers decreased once becoming Miami’s point guard, his overall team impact was more significant than that with the Hornets. Before sustaining his injury, Rozier was scoring 18.8 points and 50 percent from three. His point guard play, scoring threat, and versatility made him an upgrade at the position formerly filled by Lowry. In his 2023-2024 season, Rozier averaged 23.2 points, 6.6 assists, and 1.0 steals while shooting 35.8 percent from three.

Pat Riley referenced his scoring abilities stating, “Our offense we needed more firepower. We felt that he could give it to us, and he did.”

Rozier’s Future As A Miami Heat Point Guard

There is no question that Rozier fits in with the Miami Heat offense after several games of getting used to the new system, players, and coaching staff. As with most players, integrating themselves into a new team takes time. According to Riley, Rozier was as the Heat expected him to be. Whether or not Rozier will remain with the Heat going into next year will play itself out in the offseason. Rozier has two years remaining on his current contract, for which he will be owed $24. 9 million in the 2024-2025 season.

If there is a scenario where Rozier does remain with Miami, he’ll enter the season fully healthy. Suppose he can pick up where he left off before his neck injury. In that case, the Heat will have a reliable scoring threat and efficient point guard—an element the Heat desperately need to be competitive amongst the NBA’s Eastern Conference top teams.