MIAMI, FL – The Terry Rozier era in Miami is coming to an end—not with a buzzer-beater, not with a playoff run, but with a federal investigation, felony charges, and a quiet roster move that will officially sever ties between the Heat and their embattled guard.
The Miami Heat are set to waive guard Terry Rozier before the end of the regular season
According to a report from ESPN, the Heat are expected to waive Rozier before the end of the regular season, freeing up a roster spot as they prepare for a playoff push. The move comes after Rozier has been away from the team on indefinite leave since October, when he was arrested as part of a mass FBI investigation into illegal sports gambling.
Rozier, 32, is facing two felony charges of wire fraud and money laundering for his alleged role in the betting scheme. He has pleaded not guilty.
The Charges
The allegations against Rozier are serious. Federal authorities claim that while playing for the Charlotte Hornets in March 2023, Rozier tipped off gamblers about a fake injury, allowing them to place winning bets on his performance.
Rozier pled not guilty to charges he’s facing and is currently out on $3million bond
According to the indictment, Rozier told co-defendant Deniro Laster that he planned to remove himself from a game against the New Orleans Pelicans in the first quarter. He reportedly played less than 10 minutes before leaving with an injury, ensuring he finished “under” his prop bet totals for points and assists.
Laster then allegedly sold this information to another associate, resulting in more than $200,000 in winning bets. Prosecutors further allege that Laster drove to Rozier’s home in Charlotte to count the cash winnings during the early hours of April 1, 2023.
Rozier’s legal team has vigorously disputed the charges, filing a motion in December to have the case dismissed. Defense attorney Jim Trusty argued that the government is “overreaching” and attempting to “enforce its view of integrity in sports wagering” rather than prosecuting a legitimate federal crime.
“The government has billed this case as involving ‘insider betting’ and ‘rigging’ professional basketball games,” Trusty wrote in court documents. “But the indictment alleges something less headline-worthy: that some bettors broke certain sportsbooks’ terms of use against wagering based on non-public information and ‘straw betting.'”
Oral arguments on the motion to dismiss are scheduled for April 27.
The Heat’s Decision
Rozier has been away from the team since October and his contract is set to expire in summer
For the Heat, this has been a delicate situation. Rozier’s $26.6 million salary for this season has been placed in escrow pending the outcome of his case. But with his contract set to expire this summer, and the playoffs approaching, Miami has decided it’s time to move on.
By waiving Rozier before 5 p.m. ET on April 9, the Heat can clear waivers before the end of the regular season on April 12, opening up a roster spot for a potential playoff addition.
It’s a clean break—one that allows the organization to distance itself from the scandal while focusing on basketball.
The Trade Fallout
Rozier’s arrival in Miami was supposed to be a boost. In January 2024, the Heat acquired him from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Kyle Lowry and a 2027 first-round draft pick. He appeared in 95 games for Miami, averaging 13.9 points per game over his career.
But the trade has come under scrutiny since his arrest, with questions raised about whether the Hornets should have disclosed the investigation before completing the deal.
As a result, the Hornets agreed to send a second-round pick in this June’s NBA draft to Miami as compensation. The Heat, however, still owe their 2027 first-round pick to Charlotte.
The Bigger Picture
Rozier is just one of more than 30 people indicted in the sprawling scandal, which authorities say involves Mafia ties and rigged poker games. Other high-profile figures linked to the probe include Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and former player Damon Jones.
For Rozier, the future is uncertain. If convicted, he could face significant prison time. If the motion to dismiss succeeds, he could theoretically resume his NBA career elsewhere.
But for now, his focus is on his legal battle—and the Heat are moving on without him.
The Bottom Line
The Terry Rozier experiment in Miami is over. It didn’t end with a championship. It didn’t end with a playoff run. It ended with federal charges, an indefinite leave, and a quiet waiver wire transaction.
For the Heat, it’s a chance to turn the page. For Rozier, it’s the beginning of a fight that will define the rest of his life.