Heat acquire G Terry Rozier from Hornets

Field Level Media|published: Tue 23rd January, 14:56 2024

Oct 10, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Terry Rozier (3) shoots over Miami Heat guard Kyle Lowry (7) during the first quarter at Kaseya Center. credits: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Heat acquired guard Terry Rozier from the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday in exchange for guard Kyle Lowry and a protected 2027 first-round draft pick.

Rozier, 29, is averaging career highs in points (23.2) and assists (6.6) through 30 starts this season, his fifth with the Hornets.

A first-round pick by Boston in 2015, Rozier has career averages of 14.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 570 games (328 starts) with the Celtics and Hornets. His career totals include 1,199 3-point field goals and an 82.2 free-throw percentage.

"I want to thank Terry for all his efforts since coming to Charlotte," Hornets general manager Mitch Kupchak said. "On the court, he was a true professional and a great competitor who set a positive example for our young players. He also made himself a staple of the Charlotte community with his commitment to giving back. We wish him all the best in the future.

"The acquisition of a future first-round pick provides us an asset as we look to build long-term sustainable success around our young core of talented players. We believe adding this future pick and the additional financial flexibility from this trade will be beneficial as we continue to build our team moving forward."

Lowry, 37, is averaging 8.2 points — his fewest since 2008-09 — plus 4.0 assists and 3.5 rebounds through 37 games (35 starts) this season, his third with the Heat.

The six-time All-Star has averaged 14.4 points, 6.2 assists and 4.3 rebounds in 1,115 games (866 starts) with the Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors and Heat. He won an NBA championship with the Raptors in 2018-19.

The draft pick is lottery-protected in 2027 and unprotected if it conveys to 2028, per reports.

Entering Tuesday, Miami (24-19) was in sixth place in the Eastern Conference and Charlotte (10-31) was buried in 13th place.

The Hornets inherit Lowry's expiring contract. Rozier still has two seasons left on the four-year, $96.3 million deal he signed with Charlotte in August 2021.

—Field Level Media

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