The Miami Heat are reportedly parting ways with guard Terry Rozier. The team is expected to release Rozier on Friday, hours before the deadline to waive a player on an expiring contract, per ESPN.
Rozier, 32, has had a tumultuous 2025-26 NBA season. The guard entered the year under investigation for his actions during a game in 2023, when he left a contest early after massive bets were placed on a number of bets involving Rozier’s unders.
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But things escalated in November, when Rozier was among those arrested by the FBI as part of an alleged illegal-gambling investigation.
Rozier, along with Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones, was one of the 30-plus individuals arrested by the FBI. Both he and Billups were placed on immediate, unpaid leave by the NBA. Because of that, Rozier has not appeared in an NBA game with the Heat this season.
Rozier’s arrest stems from his alleged actions during a 2023 game — when he was still a member of the Charlotte Hornets. Prior to a game against the New Orleans Pelicans, a bettor placed a $14,000 bet on Rozier’s unders to hit. Rozier wound up leaving the game after just nine minutes due to a foot injury, causing that bet to pay out.
The FBI alleged Rozier told one of his friends, Deniro Laster, that Rozier would pull himself from that game early. Laster, who is also a defendant in the case, allegedly sold that information to bettors for roughly $100,000.
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Rozier has consistently denied those charges, with his lawyer initially saying Rozier “looks forward to winning this fight.” During a December court appearance, Rozier pleaded not guilty to charges of wire fraud and money laundering. He was released on $3 million bond.
Rozier’s release Friday may have nothing to do with his federal case. Friday marks the final day a team can release a player on an expiring contract. The Heat, who will take part in the play-in tournament, will now have until Sunday to add another player to its playoff roster.
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