Heat landing Terry Rozier from Hornets in trade for Kyle Lowry, pick

The Miami Heat are acquiring guard Terry Rozier from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for guard Kyle Lowry and a 2027 first-round pick, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.

The pick is lottery-protected, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. Should it fall in the lottery in 2027, it would convey to 2028.

Rozier is represented by Aaron Turner, the Orange, Ohio, product who helped pushed the deal forward. Rozier also hails from northeast Ohio.

Rozier, 29, is the type of explosive player Miami had been seeking for its backcourt. He is averaging 24.0 points and 6.7 assists, shooting 46 percent overall and 38 percent on 3-pointers. He is making $23.2 million and reportedly was hoping to land in Miami if traded.

Lowry is in the final year of a contract that pays him $29.7 million.

The Heat originally signed him to a three-year, $85 million deal in August 2021 as part of a sign-and-trade arrangement with the Toronto Raptors. 

This season, he’s averaging 8.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.1 steals, shooting 43 percent from the field and 39 percent on 3-pointers. 

Lowry, 37, is a six-time All-Star. He carries NBA career averages of 14.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.3 steals with the Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets, Raptors and Heat. He was a member of the Raptors’ 2019 championship team.

Miami (24-19) is in sixth place in the Eastern Conference. 

Meanwhile, more trades could be on the way for Charlotte (10-31), who is said to be open to moving everyone other than point guard LaMelo Ball, rookie forward Brandon Miller and center Mark Williams.

The Charlotte Hornets are finalizing a trade sending Terry Rozier to the Miami Heat for Kyle Lowry and a 2027 first-round draft pick — developing story at @TheAthletic: https://t.co/hPIDRd6B3o

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 23, 2024