[Bontemps] Sources told ESPN that the Heat were not aware of the NBA’s investigation when they traded for Rozier, whom they acquired for a 2027 lottery-protected first-round pick.. Hornets, when asked by ESPN whether they were aware of the league’s investigation before the trade, declined to comment
On Monday afternoon, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier entered a federal courthouse in Brooklyn and was officially arraigned as part of a wide-ranging investigation into illegal sports betting.
Rozier is accused of participating in a betting scheme, using insider NBA information while he was a member of the Charlotte Hornets, after suspicious prop betting involving his stats occurred in a road game against the New Orleans Pelicans on March 23, 2023. The league conducted an investigation and didn’t find that Rozier had violated NBA rules. He was later traded to the Heat on Jan. 23, 2024.
And while focus remains on the legal case – the 31-year-old Rozier pleaded not guilty Monday – there is more to watch from a leaguewide perspective.
From issues with the trade – what was required to be disclosed between the league, the Heat and Hornets, and what recourse Miami might have – to what could happen if the Heat attempt to move Rozier before the Feb. 5 trade deadline, here’s a look at where things stand for all parties involved and what some league insiders think could be next.
What is Miami’s issue with the trade?
Sources told ESPN that the Heat were not aware of the NBA’s investigation when they traded for Rozier, whom they acquired for a 2027 lottery-protected first-round pick and guard Kyle Lowry while trying to make another deep playoff run. Instead, Rozier did not appear in a playoff game for Miami, playing 95 games across two regular seasons and averaging 12.5 points on 40.4% shooting.
The Hornets, when asked by ESPN whether they were aware of the league’s investigation before the trade, declined to comment.
After its investigation, the NBA didn’t find that Rozier had violated league rules. But the league insisted after Rozier was arrested in October that it did not “clear” him of wrongdoing. Sources familiar with the situation told ESPN that the NBA was not aware of the federal investigation before the trade.
The Heat learned of the league’s investigation into Rozier in January, a year after the trade, when The Wall Street Journal reported that he was under federal investigation, and they were unhappy to have not known before the trade, sources said.
Which raises the question: Should the league’s investigation have been disclosed on that trade call?