The Miami Heat could enter training camp with some adversity, coming off its least successful season since 2018-19. With Terry Rozier’s status uncertain, the Heat may have to make some tough roster decisions in the near future. The Heat have three open roster spots, though one of those slots is slated to go to oft-injured Dru Smith.

The US Attorney General’s probe into the irregular betting patterns surrounding guard Rozier’s prop bets during a 2023 game has concluded, ESPN’s David Purdum reported yesterday. Rozier has not been charged or accused of any wrongdoing in connection with the probe.  However, Rozier has not yet been cleared, either, as Tom Haberstroh of Yahoo stated on Pablo Torre Finds Out earlier this week.

Oft-Injured Guard Expected To Earn One of The Heat’s Final Roster Spots

Rozier is coming off his worst season since his second season in the league. He was a part-time starter for the Heat and will likely once again be a reserve behind Tyler Herro and Norman Powell. However, Erik Spoelstra could bring Powell off the bench and start Jaime Jaquez or rookie Kasparas Jakucionas alongside Herro.

Miami went 37-45, marking the Heat’s first losing record in five seasons. Still, the Heat made the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season, winning both of their play-in games. The Heat outscored their opponents by .6 points per game. The Heat’s biggest issue was offense, as they ranked 24th in offense and seventh defensively. They were also outrebounded by over one board per contest.

“You can’t think that just because there have been some changes in rosters or some injuries that, ‘Oh, now we have a chance,’” Spoelstra told Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald when asked about the state of the Eastern Conference. “That’s kind of a loser’s mentality. We want to compete at the highest level regardless of who’s out there.”

Spoelstra told Chiang that the Heat staff is focused on figuring out what went wrong last season. The Heat went 8-17 in close games, the third-worst mark in the league. They also blew 22 double-digit leads and 21 fourth-quarter leads.

Miami currently has 14 players on standard deals with a salary cap hit of $190 million, meaning the Heat are over $2.6 million above the luxury tax threshold. If, for some reason, Rozier’s status changes due to the investigation, the Heat would be required to get salary relief from the league.

Miami Needs To Add Players On Minor League Deals
 Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

While it is unlikely that the Heat will add another player on a standard contract, the Heat does need to add two players on two-way deals. Undrafted Vladislav Goldin is the only player on a two-way deal.

Besides having some flexibility, Chiang noted that one of the Heat’s goals this season is to stay below the NBA’s luxury tax threshold. By doing so, the Heat would avoid the repeater tax after spending the last two seasons as a taxpaying team.

Goldin is one of several Heat players having a solid summer campaign. Goldin averages 9.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks while shooting 65% from the field. Pelle Larsson. Kel’el Ware, Keshad Johnson, and Jakucionus have led the way this summer.

According to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sentinel, Smith will likely get one of the minor league spots. The Heat extended the 27-year-old often injured guard a qualifying offer before the end of the 2024-25 fiscal year, thus making him a restricted free agent.

Smith’s development has been stunted throughout his three-year NBA career due to injuries. The 6-3 combo guard has spent most of his time with the Heat. However, he has shown some shooting and defensive ability during the opportunities he has received.

Smith has produced 4.5 points, 1.8 assists, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 38 career NBA games. Smith also has compiled shooting splits of 46/42.4/82.4. He has scored in double figures seven times.

Smith was on track for a career season with the Heat this past year before rupturing his Achilles Tendon in December, which may delay his 2025-26 season. Smith also had his 2022-23 campaign cut short due to a knee injury.

Photo Credit: Wendell Clark, USA Today Sports