The Curious Case of Terry Rozier

Terry Rozier’s Decline: What Went Wrong?

A year ago, the Miami Heat traded a 2027 first-round pick and Kyle Lowry to the Charlotte Hornets for Terry Rozier—a move that, at the time, seemed like a great acquisition. Miami added a playmaking and scoring guard in Rozier, who was averaging a career-high 23.2 points per game along with 3.9 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.1 steals. He was the Hornets’ top option and was expected to fill a much-needed offensive void for the Heat.

The trade was widely praised by the national media:

• Stephen A. Smith on ESPN’s “First Take”: “Terry Rozier can play, and he has the personality that fits right in with the toughness of the Jimmy Butlers, the Bam Adebayos of the world. I love this move for the Miami Heat… Look out, Miami obviously could be a threat.”
• Bill Simmons on Twitter: “I’ve been terrified of Miami the most this whole time — not Philly, not Milwaukee, just Miami. They were always Barzini this year with the Lowry [contract] expiring, plus picks. Rozier is an absolute home run for them.”
• Kendrick Perkins on ESPN’s “First Take”: “I actually love this trade for the Miami Heat. You know why? We talk about that Heat culture — Terry Rozier hasn’t played with a team like the Miami Heat since he left the Celtics. Now all of a sudden, you get a coach like Erik Spoelstra who’s going to hold you accountable. You can’t shortcut that system.”

The move had an immediate impact. Rozier elevated Miami’s offense last season before suffering a neck injury that forced him to miss the playoffs. He averaged 16.4 points and 4.6 assists in 31 games for the Heat before going down.

2024-25: A Season Gone Wrong

Rozier was healthy to start this season, but things quickly went downhill. His struggles have been apparent from the start of the 2024-25 campaign, as his shooting efficiency has plummeted and his role in Miami’s offense has become increasingly inconsistent. Through the first few months, Rozier has posted career-low shooting percentages, failing to find his rhythm alongside Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo.

One of the biggest concerns has been his three-point shooting, which was expected to be a major asset. Last season, Rozier shot 35.8% from beyond the arc with the Hornets and 37% with Miami. This year, however, that number has dipped below 30%. His shot selection has also been poor, as he forces difficult attempts rather than playing within Miami’s structured offense. When Rozier is on the floor, the offense stagnates, as seen in Miami’s nationally televised loss to Cleveland on TNT.

It’s hard to fathom just how far Rozier has fallen in such a short period. When Miami acquired him last season, the move was met with near-universal praise. He was supposed to be the missing piece—an explosive scorer and secondary playmaker who could take pressure off Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro. But now, just over a year later, he’s become an anchor weighing the team down.

His numbers since January 1st are downright abysmal:

• 26.1% from three
• 33 turnovers
• 33 fouls
• 33 made threes

This isn’t just a shooting slump—it’s a complete collapse in efficiency, decision-making, and overall impact. The eye test confirms it. Every time he steps on the court, the offense stalls. His shot selection is reckless, his turnovers are costly, and his inability to operate within Erik Spoelstra’s system has raised serious questions about his role moving forward.

Why Does Spoelstra Keep Playing Him?

That’s the million-dollar question.

There’s no doubt that Spoelstra is one of the best coaches in the NBA, and he deserves credit for keeping Miami competitive despite injuries to key players. But his insistence on playing Rozier heavy minutes is baffling. Rozier isn’t an elite defender, nor does he provide veteran leadership that stabilizes the team. He is actively hurting Miami’s chances of winning games.

Rozier is not currently the player he once was and hasn’t made the most of his opportunities, a situation that would see most go to the bench. Rozier is not a NBA caliber option right now and is taking reps from the younger Heat gaurds.

It’s even more frustrating when considering the alternatives. Davion Mitchell, while not a perfect player, brings defensive intensity and better decision-making. Even staggering more minutes for Pelle Larsson and Duncan Robinson would make more sense than continuing to watch Rozier derail Miami’s momentum on a nightly basis.

Is this a case of the front office refusing to admit a failed trade? Does Spoelstra have an unexplained loyalty to Rozier, or does he genuinely believe the other options aren’t any better? Whatever the reason, Rozier cannot continue getting extended minutes at the expense of players who may contribute more effectively.

What Happened to Terry Rozier?

That’s another question without an easy answer.

A year ago, Rozier dropped 34 points while outplaying Jalen Brunson. Now, he’s struggling to score in double digits efficiently. Whether it’s a confidence issue, a decline in athleticism, or simply a poor fit in Miami’s system, something has gone seriously wrong.

At this point, the Heat need to make a decision—one that involves significantly reducing Rozier’s role in Miami’s offense.