There’s no scarcity of completely abysmal trades within the NBA, but it surely appears just like the Warmth making a deal for Terry Rozier may turn into legendary. By no means earlier than have we seen a deal be made for a participant who got here in, doubtlessly tried to actively harm his group, then get arrested simply over a yr later — whereas giving up what may turn into a High 8 (or increased) choose.
Let’s respect how this all went down.
It’s January of 2024 and Rozier is on a tear for the Hornets. The group is rubbish, however he’s primarily the one vibrant spot — averaging over 23 factors per recreation and shouldering the load in one more injury-shortened LaMalo Ball yr. On January 14 the horrific Hornets are blown out by the Warmth, however critically, Rozier had an incredible recreation. He scored 26 factors in opposition to Miami, including seven assists and 5 rebounds. It was at this second Miami determined he could possibly be their lacking piece for a playoff run.
On January 23, lower than 10 days after enjoying Miami, the Warmth made this huge transfer sending Charlotte PG Kyle Lowry, and most-importantly a future 1st spherical choose, which might be lottery protected in 2027 and turn into unprotected in 2028.
On the time it appeared like a very strong deal for each groups. You possibly can’t fault Miami for seeing a 20+ level scorer and wanting him to be their fourth piece alongside Jimmy Buttler, Bam Adebayo, and Tyler Herro. In the meantime the Hornets purchased out Lowry, and added extra future draft property for a group destined for a rebuild.
The problem is that Terry wasn’t excellent in Miami, not likely. Being a fourth possibility as a substitute of the go-to scorer led to a predictable drop in manufacturing, however extra worrying was a drop in effectivity. Not solely did his discipline purpose proportion take a dip, however so did his assists — which was weird contemplating he was working with a much better offensive group. Rozier additionally had the identical variety of turnovers per recreation, which was regarding contemplating he was enjoying fewer minutes in a much less prolific position.
Rozier wasn’t the reply. The Warmth had been eradicated within the first spherical of the playoffs by the Celtics, and Rozier was harm — lacking your complete sequence.
Quick ahead to the next yr, and Rozier is even worse. Now his discipline purpose capturing has dropped beneath .400, and his three level capturing had dipped beneath .300 for the primary time since his rookie season. Rozier was horrifically inconsistent, vacillating between strong nights, after which completely nothing.
In a single very weird recreation on December 12 the Warmth are big favorites in opposition to the struggling Raptors. They win, 114-104 — however Rozier completed ninth on the group in scoring, capturing 1-of-6 from three and never making an attempt a single two pointer.
Quick ahead to right this moment. The Warmth have now traded a 1st spherical choose for a participant who’s beneath arrest by the FBI, with allegations he could have been concerned in level shaving. Furthermore, if the Warmth don’t carry out nicely then the Hornets may get a really excessive draft choose. All for a dude who arrived, sucked, might need been actively harming the group, after which received arrested.
Regardless of all this it’s nonetheless higher than buying and selling Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and 5 first rounds picks for Paul George. Sorry Clippers.
