The Miami Heat waived guard Terry Rozier, who has been on league-mandated leave since October amid a federal illegal sports betting investigation, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Friday.
Key Takeaways
- The Heat traded for Rozier about nine-and-a-half months after the incident in question.
- The NBA did not find evidence of any wrongdoing by Rozier.
- A pro sports bettor won all 30 of their prop bets involving Rozier for more than $13,000.
Rozier, 32, has been away from the Heat since his FBI arrest Oct. 23. He had been under investigation by the NBA from the season’s onset.
The NBA’s investigation concluded without finding evidence that Rozier had violated league rules. However, the league insisted after Rozier’s arrest that it did not “clear” him of wrongdoing.
Rozier’s arrest came as a surprise to the NBA. FBI director Kash Patel, who worked with the U.S. Attorney’s Office from the Eastern District of New York, Homeland Security Investigations, and local New York law enforcement officials, said there were “tens of million of dollars in theft, in fraud, in robbery” between Rozier, former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones, and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, all of whom were arrested on the same day.
Rozier has consistently denied any wrongdoing. He pleaded not guilty in federal court Dec. 8 and was released on $3-million bail.
His attorney, Jim Trusty, also issued a statement to CNN last November, saying his client “looks forward to winning this fight.”
Enjoying Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account“It is unfortunate that instead of allowing (Rozier) to self surrender they opted for a photo op,” Trusty wrote. “They wanted the misplaced glory of embarrassing a professional athlete with a perp walk. That tells you a lot about the motivations in this case. They appear to be taking the word of spectacularly in-credible sources rather than relying on actual evidence of wrongdoing.”
Incident in question
Rozier’s charges stem from a matchup between the Hornets and the New Orleans Pelicans on March 23, 2023.
The NBA was alerted to suspicious betting activity related to Rozier’s prop betting lines, or wagers that dealt with his individual performance, but did not directly relate to the outcome of the game.
Sportsbooks mostly set Rozier’s prop odds around 21.5 points, six assists, and four rebounds that night. Rozier removed himself from the game with a foot issue after nine minutes and 36 seconds of playing time, finishing with five points, four rebounds, and two assists.
The incident initially flew under the radar since the Hornets were well out of the playoff picture. Rozier also did not play in another game during the 2022-23 season, making it seem as if Charlotte had shut down the veteran guard for the year.
The incident was seen in a new light in January 2025 when ESPN’s David Purdum reported that a professional sports bettor went 30-for-30 with prop bets exceeding $13,000 in combined value, all of which targeted Rozier. The bets were placed in a 46-minute window at Caesars Sportsbook in Harrah’s Gulf Coast in Biloxi, Mississippi, and resulted in $13,017.70 in winnings.
“It's unfortunate that he's a big name in sports and is having to endure all this,” Trusty said after the report, per ESPN. “My hope and expectation is that at some point that they'll be done with their investigation and will be professional enough to let us know that it's 100% over and that they reached the same conclusion that was reached in 2023.”
Innocent until proven guilty
Rozier's former Louisville head coach and current St. John’s bench boss, Rick Pitino, said he does not believe it is in Rozier’s character to participate in an illegal gambling scheme.
“It’s not like him,” Pitino said on “Dan Dakich Unfiltered” in November. “I love Terry. I texted him: ‘Terry, if I can be of any help. I love you, son. If there’s anything I can do to help you, please get a hold of me.’”
Rozier was traded to the Heat for a 2026 second-round pick and a 2027 lottery-protected first-rounder that will convert to an unprotected 2028 first-round selection if it doesn’t convey. He made 95 appearances for the franchise, averaging 12.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists.
