NBA Notes: Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Heat, Terry Rozier, Knicks, Josh Hart

Bucks

Bucks GM Jon Horst said he envisions Giannis Antetokounmpo playing even more of a point forward role next season. So yeah, that probably indicates that the Bucks believe Antetokounmpo will return.

“I feel like we’ve always played with a certain type of guard,” Horst said in an interview with The Athletic’s Eric Nehm. “Typically a guard that’s willing to catch and shoot, a guard that is capable of being a primary play-maker, but doesn’t need to be a primary play-maker.

“And I think some of our best teams that we’ve ever had — and we’ve had a lot of great teams — we had guys at the guard spot in that mold. They can really shoot. They’re capable and willing defenders, and they could go five, six, seven possessions and just play off Giannis, or they can go five, six, seven possessions and they can initiate our offense.

“And that’s what we’ve tried to do. We tried to build a team like that this offseason. Take the opportunity for Giannis to go even further down that road. I would say we’ve always doubled down on it, maybe we’re tripling down or quadrupling down on it now.”

Heat

Heat guard Terry Rozier has not been cleared by federal investigators as part of their ongoing probe into illegal sports betting, according to Tom Haberstroh on the Pablo Torre Finds Out podcast.

Rozier’s name surfaced amid a broader investigation that includes Malik Beasley and Jontay Porter, with the latter having already been banned for life by the NBA.

This latest update contradicts a previous suggestion from ESPN’s Shams Charania, who appeared to indicate Rozier had been cleared during a June segment on The Pat McAfee Show. However, Charania’s comment was brief and offhand, and never formally followed up in a report, leaving room for doubt.

NBA insider Chris Haynes confirmed Haberstroh’s report, writing that Rozier “has not been cleared of any wrongdoing and remains under federal investigation.”

Rozier, 30, played in 64 games for Miami last season, his first full year with the team after being acquired from Charlotte in 2024. He averaged 10.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 25.9 minutes per game. He remains under contract through 2025–26, when he’s set to earn approximately $26.6 million in the final year of his deal.

Knicks

Knicks guard Josh Hart has undergone surgery to repair an injury to his right ring finger, the team announced Tuesday.

The 6-foot-4 veteran initially sustained the injury during New York’s playoff run to the Eastern Conference Finals, per the team. He is expected to resume basketball activities later this summer.

Hart, 30, has become a vital piece of the Knicks’ core since arriving from Portland in 2023, known for his versatility, toughness and team-first approach. A Villanova product and close friend of Jalen Brunson, Hart stepped into a full-time starting role for the first time last season and delivered across the board.

In 77 games during the 2024–25 season, he averaged 13.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.5 steals.