Heat reportedly fired Terry Rozier with guard still on leave following FBI arrest for alleged illegal gambling
The Miami Heat will reportedly part ways with guard Terry Rozier. The team is expected to release Rozier on Friday, hours before the deadline to waive an expiring player, according to ESPN.
Rozier, 32, 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 series 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 more than 30 individuals arrested by the FBI. Both he and Billups were placed on immediate unpaid leave by the NBA. Because of this, Rozier has not appeared in an NBA game with the Heat this season.
Rozier’s arrest stems from his alleged actions during a game in 2023, when he was still a member of the Charlotte Hornets. Before a game against the New Orleans Pelicans, a bettor placed a $14,000 bet on Rozier’s unders hitting. Rozier left the game after just nine minutes due to a foot injury, causing the bet to pay off.
The FBI alleged that Rozier had told one of his friends, Deniro Laster, that Rozier would soon retire from that game. Laster, who is also a defendant in the case, allegedly sold that information to bettors for about $100,000.
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Rozier has consistently denied such allegations, with his lawyer initially saying that Rozier “looks forward to winning this fight.” During a court hearing in December, Rozier pleaded not guilty to wire fraud and money laundering charges. He was released on $3 million bail.
Rozier’s release Friday may have nothing to do with his federal case. Friday marks the last day a team can release a player on an expiring contract. The Heat, who will take part in the play-in tournament, now have until Sunday to add another player to their playoff roster.