Heat exchange six times Terry Rozier to the Hornets for All-Star Kyle Lowry and a draft choice

Heat exchange six times Terry Rozier to the Hornets for All-Star Kyle Lowry and a draft choice

Miami (AP) — In the last week of his contract, Kyle Lowry—who is in his final year—lost his starting spot in the Miami Heat lineup due to a dip over the past few weeks.

Miami (AP) — In the last week of his contract, Kyle Lowry—who is in his final year—lost his starting spot in the Miami Heat lineup due to a dip over the past few weeks.

It appeared inevitable that a trade would occur, and the Charlotte Hornets made it happen.

In a trade of guards that should greatly aid Miami in their postseason ascent, the Heat sent Lowry to the Hornets on Tuesday in exchange for Terry Rozier, who is having the finest season of his career.

I am at a loss for words. In a video posted on the team’s social media platforms, Rozier stated, “It ain’t all the way hit me,” as he disembarked from the private jet that transported him to Miami on Tuesday night. I feel at home here. I’m feeling well. I’m prepared to begin. Being a part of Heat Culture makes me happy. Come on, let’s get it. You’re going to discover why there’s so much excitement. Thus, be prepared. Now let’s get started.

To complete the trade, the Heat, who are currently leading the Eastern Conference, will also give the Hornets a first-round lottery pick. In the event that the pick is not lottery-protected for 2027, Charlotte will receive the pick in 2028.

“Man, Bam Adebayo of the Heat remarked, “Kyle has been one of my favourite teammates, if not the favourite teammate.” He constantly discusses strategies for catching the ball. He often speaks about making easy catches for me. He’s been upbeat. I will always consider him to be my brother because he is like that to me.

In case Rozier is able to play when Miami hosts Memphis on Wednesday, the team was already working on getting his new uniform ready on Tuesday while the deal was being finalised. Rozier will wear jersey number two for the Heat. In Charlotte, he wore No. 3, which is retired in Miami in honour of Rozier’s favourite player, Dwyane Wade.

Hornets President Mitch Kupchak remarked, “I want to thank Terry for all his efforts since coming to Charlotte.” He was a terrific competitor and a consummate professional on the court, leading by example for our younger players. Because of his dedication to give back, he also established himself as a mainstay of the Charlotte community. We want the best for him moving forward.

We have an asset as we try to develop a young, brilliant core of players around whom we can achieve long-term, sustainable success: a future first-round choice. We think it will help us as we continue to assemble our club going forward to add this future choice and the extra cash flexibility from this deal.

We have an asset in the future first-round pick that we can acquire as we try to develop a youthful, talented core of players into a long-term sustainable success. We think it will help us as we continue to assemble our club going forward to add this future choice and the extra cash flexibility from this deal.

Rozier should provide the Heat with an instant improvement. In 30 games this season, he is averaging career-highs of 23.2 points and 6.6 assists in addition to shooting a career-high 46%. Caleb Martin, a third-season Heat player who expressed excitement about playing with Rozier once more, and Rozier are reunited via the deal.

It’s undoubtedly a bittersweet scenario, according to Martin.

After starting all 35 of his games with the Heat this season, Lowry—a six-time All-Star and 2019 NBA champion with Toronto—was removed from the starting lineup last week, sparking rumours that his time in Miami was coming to an end.

He turns 38 in March and has an expiring $29.7 million contract. This season, he averaged 8.2 points and four assists per game for the Heat. During his final five games with Miami, he shot 5 for 30 and averaged just two points and 3.6 assists, showing signs of weakness.