Two potential trade destinations for overpaid Heat guard

The Miami Heat are heading in a new direction in the franchise's first full season without Jimmy Butler since he signed with the team in 2019. As a result, the Heat are looking to clean house of anyone who isn't a long-term fit for the franchise. That includes guard Terry Rozier.

Miami acquired the 10-year veteran during the 2023-24 season in hopes of returning to the NBA Finals, but Rozier's tenure with the Heat hasn't gone as planned. Despite raking in nearly $25 million last season, Rozier averaged just 10.6 points and 3.7 rebounds on a ghastly 39.1 percent mark from the field.

Now, less than two years later, the Heat are "aggressively shopping" the nearly $27 million Rozier is slated to be paid for "just about anything", per Ethan J. Skolnick of Five Reasons Sports Network.

Miami could be hard-pressed for a suitor to take on Rozier's gargantuan salary, especially considering the league-wide lack of cap space. But the saving grace of any deal is that he is currently on an expiring contract. 

A franchise could bring in assets in exchange for his contract without any long-term commitment. Rozier may not be a coveted talent, but several teams could get on board with that idea.

Here are two of those potential teams.

Brooklyn Nets

The only NBA team with cap space to spare, the Brooklyn Nets should have no problem accepting a draft pick or two to take on Rozier's salary.

The franchise is in a full rebuild, as it has been since Kevin Durant was traded to the Phoenix Suns in 2022. But while most teams at least make it seem as if they're trying to win, the Nets are a team that will happily bottom out for the foreseeable future.

Brooklyn already took on Michael Porter Jr.'s gargantuan extension, receiving a first-rounder in the process. The Nets may not receive the same haul for Rozier, but the team won't be giving up a player of Cam Johnson's caliber, either.

Charlotte Hornets

A return to the Charlotte Hornets may not be what's best for Rozier's career, but it may just be what happens. 

The Hornets are severely lacking in talent once again outside of their core of LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges. Rozier isn't the talent he once was, but he is a rotation-level guard who wouldn't have much problem cracking Charlotte's lineup.

Charlotte also has pieces the team won't be afraid to move, including Jusuf Nurkic and Pat Connaughton. If Miami will settle for a Hornets benchwarmer, Charlotte could acquire assets and improve its roster.