Heat Release Rozier After Betting Arrest

Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier was released by the team on Friday, ESPN reported. Rozier, 32, had been away from the Heat since his October arrest in an FBI investigation into illegal sports betting. The NBA placed him on indefinite leave for alleged involvement during his time with the Charlotte Hornets.

Rozier pleaded not guilty in December to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. In a 2023 game against the Washington Wizards, he played fewer than 10 minutes due to a foot injury, after which multiple bettors won high-stakes wagers placed on his poor performance. The Hornets traded him to the Heat in January 2024 without disclosing the federal and league investigations; Charlotte later sent Miami a second-round draft pick.

Rozier signed a four-year, $96.3 million contract extension with Charlotte in 2023. His $26.6 million salary for this season sits in escrow pending the case resolution, with the deal set to expire after the season.

The move clears a roster spot for the Heat, who hold a 41-39 record and the No. 10 position in the Eastern Conference ahead of the Play-In Tournament. The 11th-place Milwaukee Bucks sit at 31-49.