With all things Jimmy Butler in the NBA world right now, the Miami Heat still have roster problems. Terry Rozier has struggled this season. There is no other way to describe it. Miami needs to figure out the Rozier situation, at least for this season.
Miami acquired Rozier last season for Kyle Lowry and a first-round pick. Lowry’s time in Miami ran its course. The idea was to bring in a scoring guard who could add a punch to Miami’s offense. Last season, Rozier added that scoring punch that Miami needed. Unfortunately for Rozier, he suffered a neck injury that ended his season. Moving forward to this season, Rozier was back into the starting lineup, hoping he and Tyler Herro would be a dynamic backcourt.
That wasn’t the case for Rozier in the starting lineup. Rozier struggled with his shot, and his selection wasn’t good either. By nature, Rozier is a tough shotmaker. But it’s hard to keep putting the ball in Rozier’s hands when the shots aren’t going in as much. Defensibly, Rozier has struggled, too. Being a more undersized guard, Rozier gets attacked.
Rozier gets caught in a bad place defending more prominent players. Rozier is a good rebounder for his size. That is the only bright spot he is bringing to the team. Rozier did get sent to the bench, and there was a slight improvement in his game when he came off the bench, with Butler’s situation in Miami. Miami needed an offensive bunch. Herro has been Miami’s best player on offense, with teams focusing on Herro more than usual.
The idea was to have another ball handler/soccer in the backcourt to help Herro. It’s been the opposite; Rozier has taken 53 threes over the past few games and has only made seven. Rozier has always been a streaky shooter, but this has been a rough patch. Rozier can get to the rim at a reasonable rate, but he has a hard time scoring at the rim due to his size.
It will be hard to move with Rozier, who has two years on his contract—having said that Miami should look to move Rozier. Miami gave up a first-round pick for Rozier, and it is safe to say Miami won’t be getting a first-round pick back if they were to move Rozier.
If Miami can get a guard back on an experienced contract, that would be a move worth making. I have written before that Miami should look to acquire Washington Wizards Malcolm Brogdon. Brogdon is on an expiring contract and can fill a role for Miami. Brogdon can set up an offense and doesn’t need the ball in his hands to have an impact. Brogdon’s defensive performance is a slight upgrade over Rozier’s. Brogdon was a good defender early in his career.
But at this point in his career, he is still an upgrade over Rozier. If Miami could trade for Lonzo Ball, that would be perfect. Ball is what Miami needs at a point guard. Ball is a table setter who looks to get his teammates involved. Ball is a good shooter and is a good defender. Rozier is doing more harm than good for Miami. If Miami can move Rozier without giving up a draft pick or a promising young player, they should look to do it. Even if Rozier can’t be moved by the deadline, then Rozier will be an expiring contract ( 26 million) that would be easier to move in the off-season.
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