NBA Notes: Heat, Terry Rozier, Suns, Jalen Green, Jazz

Heat

The Heat held a team meeting Thursday in the wake of Terry Rozier’s arrest, head coach Erik Spoelstra confirmed Friday.

Spoelstra said that the discussion was about “addressing things” while making sure the focus remains on basketball, per The South Florida Sun Sentinel’s Ira Winderman.

Rozier’s situation, however, has clearly left an emotional mark on the locker room.

“You support him through and through. That’s our brother,” Bam Adebayo said. “It felt kind of weird not having him here because he’s usually the first person I talk to in the morning. He brings great energy to our team.”

Rozier faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering after allegedly removing himself from a game in March 2023 when he was still with Charlotte.

The indictment claims that move helped trigger several “under” prop bets.

Spoelstra and the players avoided commenting on the legal details, instead expressing support for Rozier.

“Terry is somebody who is very dear to all of us,” Spoelstra said. “He’s had a positive impact on our locker room and our staff. We send our thoughts and care to him as he goes through this.”

Because Rozier was placed on leave rather than suspended, The Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson reports that he’ll continue to occupy a roster spot and receive his full $26.6 million salary.

The Heat would only gain cap relief if the NBA voids his contract — a step the league hasn’t taken.

Finally, in case you missed it, our Andy Roth caught up with Heat radio man Tommy Tighe for an interview on the team’s outlook. You can check it out here.

Suns

Jalen Green remains out with a right hamstring strain, The Arizona Republic’s Duane Rankin reports.

Head coach Jordan Ott said Green will miss the first two games of Phoenix’s road trip, Friday at the Clippers and Saturday at Denver. The fifth-year guard will travel with the team and hasn’t been ruled out for Monday’s matchup in Utah.

Jazz

Nobody saw this coming.

A team projected to have the NBA’s lowest win total blew out the veteran Clippers in its opener, leading by as many as 37.

The Salt Lake Tribune’s Andy Larsen noted that the Jazz’s energy and balance stunned Los Angeles, with head coach Will Hardy praising his young group’s approach.

“If we’re a little short on experience, we can still be high on energy,” Hardy said.

Rookie Cody Williams, a 2024 first-round pick, didn’t see action, but Utah still showcased how youth and pace can be strengths — not weaknesses — in its rebuild.